# Project 2: Neural Basis of Motor Pattern Control Loops

> **NIH NIH U19** · CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $462,964

## Abstract

Project 2: The Neural Basis of Motor Pattern Loops
Abstract
The goal of Project 2 is to understand how motor pattern loops link high-level behavioral goals with
low-level control of muscles. In the fly, such motor pattern loops are comprised of populations of
descending neurons (DNs), which integrate dendritic signals in the central brain and project their axons
to the ventral nerve cord (VNC). We will take advantage of cell-type specific Split-Gal4 lines to record
and manipulate activity in DNs that target VNC circuits that control the fly legs and wings. We will
combine optogenetic manipulation of DNs with fine-scale analysis of walking and flight behavior, and
measure intracellular DN signals in behaving animals with whole whole-cell electrophysiology
recordings. These efforts are divided into the following Specific Aims:
Specific Aim 1: Determine how wing muscle action groups are recruited into functional
actions by descending control.
Specific Aim 2: Determine how leg muscle action groups are recruited into functional
actions by descending control.
Specific Aim 3: Characterize the activity patterns of identified descending neurons in
behaving flies using in vivo whole-cell recordings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9971619
- **Project number:** 5U19NS104655-04
- **Recipient organization:** CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD S MANN
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $462,964
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9971619

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9971619, Project 2: Neural Basis of Motor Pattern Control Loops (5U19NS104655-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9971619. Licensed CC0.

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