Fly parallel parks (teaching brain)
Can the textbook circuit layout for backward walking and steering be combined into a parking manoeuvre?
This experiment runs on the synthetic teaching brain: a textbook circuit layout with invented numbers. It illustrates an idea; it is not a result about real flies.
What happens
This experiment runs on the synthetic teaching brain, not on measured data. Its layout follows the literature (bristle neurons onto the moonwalker neurons MDN, compass neurons onto PFL3 onto DNa02) but its numbers are invented, so it shows the idea, not a result about real flies.
When the spot is behind the car, the bristle neurons (BM) are stimulated, which drive MDN, the neurons that make real flies walk backwards. MDN activity puts the car in reverse. The direction to the spot is fed to the compass neurons and DNa02 turns the wheel.
A real circuit version needs a trained readout; it is on our list for the training lab.
Inspired by: Bidaye et al. (2014), Science: neuronal control of Drosophila walking direction (the moonwalker neurons).
How the brain is wired to the world
The mapping is part of the experiment design. Everything between senses and motor output is the connectome.
- Spot behind the car → bristle neurons BM
- Direction to the spot → EPG left or right
- Moonwalker neurons MDN above threshold → reverse gear
- DNa02 right minus left → steering angle
Dataset: Generated by pipeline/make_synthetic_fly.py (seed 42). About this dataset
Run it locally
Every experiment can also use the local runner, which simulates the brain on your own computer. It is required for connectomes too large for a browser.
git clone https://github.com/berkeyc/connectome-lab.git cd connectome-lab pip install -r local/requirements.txt python local/runner.py # listens on ws://localhost:8765
Then choose “Local runner” in the player controls and press Restart. Your browser may ask for permission to connect to a local device.