Ahoy mateys! Today we invite you to sail the citizen science seas on a BANC Treasure Hunt
Objective: Match cells from the MANC dataset to BANC.
This cutting-edge quest will push the boundaries of science by challenging you to match cells from MANC (Male Adult Nerve Cord, bottom left) to The BANC (Brain and Nerve Cord, top right).
MANC complements the FlyWire Brain by adding a reconstruction of the nerve cord, the brain’s projection to the activity center for the body.
BANC completes the central nervous system picture. It contains the entirety of FlyWire Brain and MANC, linking for the first time the brain and body. It’s so new that many of the proofread neurons have not been annotated. Can you help unlock the BANC puzzle?
Getting Started
- Join #banc-citsci on FlyWire Slack
- Visit the [BANC Neuron Treasure Hunt Hub] (updated link coming soon! - M). There are two tabs: Sensory Neurons, which contains a list of sensory neurons from MANC, and Wing Neuropil, a free-for-all zone for flight and wing neurons.
- Claim a neuron type
- Plug the IDs into this link that includes MANC and BANC datasets: Neuroglancer
- If you think a video guide to manc-banc neuroglancer would be helpful, let us know and we will prioritize creating one
- Orient yourself with the milemarkers DNp1 and DNp6
- Once you have identified a neuron, use banc-bot to add cell type name using the neuron identity command
example: 7654321234567! neuron identity: 8675309
- Declare your Neuron Treasures in the Hub
The Two Treasure Hunt Paths:
- Wing Neuropil Quest
Key functions of wing neuropil neurons:
- Flight coordination: The wing neuropil integrates sensory feedback and motor signals to fine-tune wingbeats, ensuring stable and efficient flight.
- Reflexive responses: These neurons are involved in quick adjustments to wing position and force during flight, helping the fly react to environmental changes.
- Balance and maneuvering: Neurons in this region assist in balancing wing movements with the body’s overall posture and trajectory, contributing to agile maneuvers during flight.
Neurons of wing neuropil are also responsible for song, a critical part of courtship. Male flies sing with their wings! They do this to recruit a female fly, who will choose to mate with the male if she likes his beat. This also makes the wing neuropil a candidate for sexually dimorphic neurons, cells that are different between male and female. Find neurons of the wing neuropil in neuprint and match them in BANC.
- Sensory Neuron Quest
This quest has a set of cells from MANC to match in BANC.
Motor neurons convert signals from the brain into into behavior. A few of many key functions:
- Locomotion and posture control: Abdominal motor neurons coordinate movements necessary for walking, grooming, and other behaviors requiring precise control of the body.
- Reproductive behavior: In both male and female fruit flies, abdominal motor neurons are involved in reproductive behaviors. For example, they control the muscles needed for egg-laying in females and copulation in males, coordinating the physical actions required for mating and laying eggs.
- Gut and digestion regulation: These neurons also influence the muscles of the digestive tract, contributing to peristalsis and the regulation of food movement through the gut.
- Respiration: The abdomen plays a role in the fly’s respiratory system, particularly in pumping air through the tracheal system. Abdominal motor neurons help regulate these contractions, ensuring efficient air exchange during respiration.
Most of the motor neurons in the central brain have already been annotated; however, the ones in the abdomen remain elusive.
Tips:
- If the cell has a defining feature like a thick backbone, start looking in EM near there. You could also start from the proximal neurite.
- Check bundles from major backbone or proximal neurite.
- You will see a set of neurons moving in the same direction as scrolling through EM.
- Bundle sectioned in parallel to the section plane (image 1)
- Bundle cross sectioned
(image 1; Spelunker Link)
- Lost? Find trachea to check position
- Use the milemarkers DNp1 and DNp6 (they are large cells and may have slow loading time)
Resources:
- BANC + MANC in neuroglancer
- MANC information page from Janelia
- BANC connectome information page
- The datasets come from different sexes (MANC = male and BANC = female), so there may be variations between neurons. Some neurons are sexually dimorphic, which means there are differences between male and females.
- Cell characteristics can be subtle, so you’ll need to utilize your keen eye for detail. Somas and branches may be in slightly different locations. Look for similar morphology and arborization.
- Some cells may have multiple potential matches, so you’ll need to use your best judgment to determine the correct pairing. You can seek help or a second opinion in the #banc-citsci Slack channel.
Rewards:
- The satisfaction of contributing to scientific research and helping to better understand the brain and nervous system.
- The opportunity to learn more about neuroanatomy and cell biology.
- The top contributor will win a BANC shirt.
- Top 3 annotators will win exclusive achievements in their future Pyr profile.
- All contributors will earn the BANC badge in Pyr.
Let the treasure hunt begin! Your journey into the intricate world of the fly nervous system awaits.
Example cell in MANC and mirror in BANC
