Biomechanical and neural control of head casting with Drosophila larvae

Animals must continuously integrate sensory feedback with body mechanics to generate adaptive behavior. Drosophila larvae provide a powerful model for dissecting how neural circuits control movement, yet the biomechanical and mechanosensory basis of specific actions such as head casts remain incomplete in verification. In this project, I will (1) build an initial biomechanical model of serval head casts using Cosserat rod theory in the PyElastica framework, (2) behaviorally test and verify an ascending neuron classification in controlling head cast behavior, and (3) use the model to identify and prioritize candidate mechanosensory neurons involved in this movement. By linking the model with optogenetically controlled behavior on the PiVR system, this work aims to map patterns of stress and strain during head casts to specific sensory and ascending neurons. The long-term goal is to provide a quantitative bridge between neural activity and biomechanics during chemotaxis.