How are ecologically relevant odors processed in the mosquito brain?

How do these findings contribute to your research area?

This study establishes a viable setup for studying the antennal lobe neurons in mosquitoes and presents the first detailed account of the morphological, physiological, and functional properties of mosquito antennal lobe neurons. It was commonly thought in the field of insect olfaction that behaviorally significant odors are encoded by dedicated pathways in olfactory circuits. In the absence of knowledge of the organization and the activities of antennal lobe neurons in mosquitoes, earlier studies have favored this model. However, the findings of this study change this view and show that odors are represented by the population of projection neurons rather than specific neurons. Moreover, the physiological and morphological characterization of antennal lobe neurons laid out in this study establishes a solid foundation for future investigations. Many researchers in entomology, vector biology, and neuroscience communities will consider these results valuable. The insights gained from this research have the potential to guide the future development of innovative approaches to mosquito control. 

What was the exciting moment during your research?

Performing in-vivo patch clamp electrophysiology for small neurons (such as mosquito olfactory neurons) poses a notable challenge as it requires a highly delicate sample preparation, and even the slightest vibrations can derail the experiment. So, I will never forget the day when I successfully recorded the first antennal lobe neuron. I called every lab member to my workbench to show what I recorded. Nitin gave me a high-five and said that I might be the first person in the world to do this. What an exciting moment it was! Another particularly thrilling moment was when I was recording from two different neurons at the same time and observed that the activity in one cell influenced the activity in the other. It was like witnessing two neurons’ talking.’ As discussed in the paper, the simultaneous recordings obtained from these two neurons indicated the presence of excitatory lateral connections within the mosquito antennal lobe.

What do you hope to do next?

As an aspiring neuroscientist, my interest lies in the field of systems neuroscience, which focuses on understanding the complex workings of the brain. My doctoral work has significantly advanced my knowledge of how sensory information is processed in neural circuits and intensified my curiosity about the ability of the brain to transform sensory inputs into behavioral outputs. I am currently working as a post-doc in Dr. Evan Feinberg’s lab at the University of California, San Francisco. During my post-doctoral training, I will use the genetically tractable mice model to study the complex neural circuits that generate goal-directed behaviors such as gaze shifts.

Where do you seek scientific inspiration from?

Every day, I find inspiration in the things I see around me. It’s fascinating to observe various organisms, from small insects to larger animals, engaging in different behaviors. Some behaviors seem straightforward, like fruit flies getting attracted to a fruit odor, while others seem more intricate, like dogs learning a trick. These observations ignite my curiosity and make me wonder: how does our brain control and coordinate our behaviors? What processes occur inside our minds that enable us to move, think, and interact with the world? Exploring these questions motivates me to delve deeper into the study of neuroscience, seeking to understand the mysteries of the brain.

How do you intend to help Indian science improve?

It is very inspiring to see that the scientific landscape in India is undergoing a remarkable transformation with a surge of cutting-edge research emerging from Indian laboratories. My aspiration is to become a principal investigator, leading an independent research lab in India. In pursuit of this career goal, I am driven to contribute to the Indian scientific community in various impactful ways. Creating an inclusive and diverse scientific community within my lab that values different perspectives and fosters critical thinking is one of my top priorities. Furthermore, I am deeply passionate about science collaborations and outreach. By actively collaborating with fellow researchers, both within India and internationally, we can leverage collective expertise, exchange ideas, and share resources to accelerate the progress of Indian science.