» Alexis Monti

Alexis Monti

I am investigating the projection pathway of the gastropyloric receptor (GPR) neurons in the stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) of the crab Cancer borealis. Specifically, I am using an anatomical approach to study the GPR axon pathway through the bilateral superior oesophageal nerves (sons) and into the commissural ganglia (CoGs). I am interested in how these sensory neurons target projection neurons in the CoGs. The GPR neurons are proprioceptors that regulate the gastric mill (chewing) rhythm of the crab. During my research I dissect the crab STNS and process it with antibodies that label the GPR neurons including ones tagged with fluorescent markers. I then view the labeled axonal pathways using confocal microscopy.