Reverse Engineering the Fly Brain Using FlyCircuit Database

Abstract

A method to reverse engineering of a fly brain using the {\it FlyCircuit} database is presented. This method was designed based on the assumption that similar neurons could serve identical functions. We thus cluster the neurons based on the similarity between neurons. The procedures are to partition the neurons in the database into groups, and then assemble the groups into potential modules. Some of the modules correspond to known neuropils, including Medulla were obtained. The same clustering algorithm was applied to analyze Medulla's structure. Another possible application of the clustering result is to study the brain-wide neuron connectome by looking at the connectivity between groups of neurons.