Reverse Engineering the Fly Brain Using FlyCircuit Database

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for reverse engineering the fly brain by clustering neurons in the FlyCircuit database, identifying modules corresponding to known neuropils, and analyzing brain connectivity.

Contribution

It presents a novel clustering-based approach to analyze fly brain structure and connectivity using the FlyCircuit database, aiding understanding of neural functions.

Findings

Identification of neuron modules corresponding to neuropils

Application of clustering to analyze Medulla structure

Potential for studying brain-wide connectome

Abstract

A method to reverse engineering of a fly brain using the {\it FlyCircuit} database is presented. This method was designed based on the assumption that similar neurons could serve identical functions. We thus cluster the neurons based on the similarity between neurons. The procedures are to partition the neurons in the database into groups, and then assemble the groups into potential modules. Some of the modules correspond to known neuropils, including Medulla were obtained. The same clustering algorithm was applied to analyze Medulla's structure. Another possible application of the clustering result is to study the brain-wide neuron connectome by looking at the connectivity between groups of neurons.