We study behavioral roles of biogenic amine neurotransmitters in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster . These transmitters, including the well studied molecules dopamine and serotonin, have roles in the fly that parallel those found in higher animals, validating use of this important genetic model. We study these roles with pharmacological, physiological and genetic approaches. Drugs such as aerosolized free base cocaine directly

target this system, and can be used as probes to study its state in vivo . Studies using cocaine as a probe identified in intriguing connection with circadian genes, a connection under intensive study. These transmitters also have roles in setting motor activity levels and light sensitivity. We are developing new assays to study the effects of light that are identifying specific roles for the these transmitters. Tools being developed will allow these roles to be localized to small neuronal subsets, and ultimately, the brain circuitry responsible for behavioral outputs.

For more information on research interests, visit my lab website.

Sang Ki Park, Ying Cai, Rebecca George, Florence Friggi-Grelin, Serge Birman and Jay Hirsh (2006) Cell type-specific limitation on in vivo serotonin storage following ectopic expression of the Drosophila serotonin transporter, dSERT. J Neurobiology, 66 :452-62.

Shannon Hardie, Jing X. Zhang, J. Hirsh, (2007) Trace Amines Differentially Regulate Adult Locomotor Activity, Cocaine Sensitivity, and Female Fertility in Drosophila melanogaster, Dev. Neurobiol. 1;67(10):1396-1405 Published Online: 28 Mar 2007.