BPoD has moved!

BPoD has recently changed our domain name - we can now be found at bpod.org.uk

Please update your bookmarks!

Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Sleep on It

Insight from fruit flies into the neural activity controlling sleep

05 June 2020

Sleep on It

The fruit fly brain, pictured, shows neurons that are involved in wing expansion (green) – a developmental event occurring within the first half hour after adult flies emerge from their pupal shells. Scientists have discovered that if wing expansion is prevented either physically – by confining the animals or cutting their wings – or genetically – by blocking the activity of neurons involved, the insects sleep more in the subsequent 24 hours than flies whose wings expanded normally. It seems that when the insects are grabbing those extra Zs, their brains are busy adapting to the change of circumstances, setting up new neural circuitry. Indeed the brains of the flightless flies showed evidence of increased neural plasticity compared with those of control insects. Since sleeping can also sometimes help people resolve complex issues, perhaps studying these little insects will provide insights into what our own brains are doing to solve problems as we snooze.

Written by Ruth Williams

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.