WARDILL LAB
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  • Publications
    • UMN Lab Publications >
      • Octopus Arm Control
      • Cuttlefish 3D Glasses
      • Jewel Beetle Opsin characterization
      • Drosophila photoreceptor spectral sensitivity
      • 2-Photon Imaging & Color Stimulation
    • Selected Wardill co-authored pubs >
      • Neurally controlled squid iridescence
      • Cuttlefish 3D skin papillae
      • Droso Color+Motion Integration
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Identifying information processing principles used for visually guided behaviors

ABOUT OUR GROUP

Invertebrate neuroethology

Neural processing of visual information by invertebrates is poorly known, particularly in non-model species. The range of processing strategies among invertebrates offers enormous insight about how visuo-motor transformation can be completed efficiently and be tailored to specific tasks. Our approach leverages investigating species that have been around for 100's of millions of years with little change in form and have survived through several extinction cycles.  The optimization strategies of such animals will provide insight to our biological understanding of these species but also new computation and automation methods. 

We have used genetic, physiology and behavioral experiments to identify visual circuit components in the model animal, Drosophila melanogaster as well as in other fly species, such as Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) and Killer flies (Coenosia attenuata). Taking this comparative approach allows us to reveal general principles of circuit function.

Our lab now predominantly investigates how cephalopods process visual information and consequently perform prey capture while also expressing various forms of signals on their skin (movement, color, pattern, polarization, and 3D shapes).  We use advanced methods in behavioral manipulation, 2-photon imaging and behavioral quantification. 
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​"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it. It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well." 

Rene Descartes

RESEARCH

Ongoing Projects

Here are a few things that we have been working on lately.

More details to follow soon....
View Research
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- How did I get to be a PI -

My long and convoluted story of how I got here... 
Click on the images below to link to the papers that I have contributed to (in some way) prior to becoming a professor!

Moral of this story is to work hard, do things really well, pay attention to details and above all else.. 
...​do what you love and never give up on it.
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Extremely challenging sharp electrode intracellular recordings of Drosophila melanogaster photoreceptors 1 micron in diameter.
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UAS-shibire overexpression kills photoreceptors
Motion discrimination & flight performance is improved by color​
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Colour & motion combined prior to lobula plate
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High throughput stimulation & imaging screening platform
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Optimization of GCaMP5 calcium indicator for neural activity imaging
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Ultrasensitive fluorescent proteins for imaging neuronal activity
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3D reconstruction of squid skin,
chromatophore and iridophore
Electrical stimulation of chromatophore motoneurons
Electrical stimulation of squid fin nerve activating iridophores
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Confocal imaging of iridophore and iridocytes
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Cuttlefish papillae catch muscles
Electrical stimulation of specific nerve to activate papillae
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CONTACT OUR TEAM

    Get in Touch!

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Wardill Laboratory
​College of Biological Sciences

Dept. Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior
1479 Gortner Ave, ​St. Paul, MN 55108
  • Home
  • Research
  • People
    • Trevor
    • Natalie
    • Rachael
    • Lab Alumni >
      • Milly
      • Flavie
      • James
      • Rachael
      • Rebijith
      • Jorge
  • Publications
    • UMN Lab Publications >
      • Octopus Arm Control
      • Cuttlefish 3D Glasses
      • Jewel Beetle Opsin characterization
      • Drosophila photoreceptor spectral sensitivity
      • 2-Photon Imaging & Color Stimulation
    • Selected Wardill co-authored pubs >
      • Neurally controlled squid iridescence
      • Cuttlefish 3D skin papillae
      • Droso Color+Motion Integration
  • News
  • Lab Facilities
  • Collaborators
  • Join our group
  • Contact
  • Outreach