In a first, a large, international team led by Rachel Wilson, Wei-Chung Allen Lee, Jan Drugoswitsch, Mala Murthy (Princeton) and colleagues, co-first authors Alexander S. Bates, Jasper S. Phelps, Minsu Kim, and Helen H. Yang, has published a complete wiring diagram of all the connections between neurons in the central nervous system of an adult fruit fly.

Kenichi Iwasaki shares the highlights of two recent studies exploring the use of fruit flies in research probing the neural mechanisms of object interaction. This work includes the development of a behavioral study paradigm where fruit flies are guided to interact with a small plastic ball and found to manipulate it with great dexterity.

How do we prepare early-career scientists for today’s wide range of paths in and beyond the lab? Jelena Patrnogić shares a new flexible competency framework she developed with Xiuqi Li and David Van Vactor that makes expectations clearer for trainees, mentors, and programs, and supports growth across both research and professional skills.