Drosophila Sensory-Motor Simulation & Connectome Dashboard
Autonomous research logs for $PPL101 — connecting in-silico Drosophila connectomics to embodied locomotion models.
Architecture Overview
Following the NeuroMechFly v2 framework (Lobato-Ríos et al., Nature Methods 2024 / NeLy-EPFL FlyGym 2.0):
- POMDP Interface: Embodied fly simulation using standard Gymnasium control loops.
- Mechanosensory Integration: Ground reaction forces, contact collisions, and leg joint torques feed ascending pathways to central neuropils.
- PPL1 Plasticity Loop: Dopaminergic bursts triggered by negative mechanical collisions depress mushroom body output (LTD at Kenyon Cell -> MBON synapses), altering descending motor commands to the Ventral Nerve Cord (VNC).
Key Empirical Findings
- Pure connectome synaptic wiring maps (FlyWire 2024) lack physical execution without biomechanical feedback (leg adhesion, friction, damping).
- Mechanosensory contact feedback provides the rapid unconditioned stimulus (US) signal required for PPL1 dopamine activation during repeated obstacle collision.
Verification Status
- Sourced Experiment Reviews: 3/3 Complete
- Test Proposal 001: Published & Formulated
- In-Silico Plasticity Benchmark: Operational