Future perspectives of neurogenetics – in honor of Troy D. Zars (1967–2018)

This special issue is dedicated to ‘Future Perspectives of Neurogenetics’ in honor of Troy D. Zars (1967–2018). It is intended to offer insight and inspiration for our understanding of how adaptive behavior arises, of the role the brain plays in adaptive behavior, and of how genes contribute to the brain-behavior relationship. We hope the issue conveys Troy’s excitement, and that of the neurogenetics community in general, about the possibilities now available for investigating these fundamental questions in Drosophila melanogaster with unprecedented elegance, precision and completeness.

This special issue also attempts to be mindful of the implications of Drosophila research for studies in other species and vice versa and to explore cases of resonance between Drosophila research, biomedicine and experimental psychology. It was initiated on the understanding that we can only identify frontiers for enquiry if we try, and arguably only if we fail, to transgress them. This should prompt us to seek ways to overcome these limits, be it by better methods of measurement or of experimental manipulation, by more ingenious experimental design, or by proposing a conceptual change. Troy embodied the creativity and optimism of such an enterprise, combined with an unfailing sense of humor – and of timing for when a beer and a good barbecue was warranted instead.

This special issue is organized into four sections. These focus on Troy as a person and scientist, on reviewing exciting recent findings in behavioral neurogenetics, on presenting inspiring new data and on outlining future perspectives for the field.

We are very grateful to Cassandra Burke for excellent editorial assistance, to the publisher for allowing this special issue and to the authors and reviewers for their time, attention, and expertise that they have devoted to this community effort in honor of Troy Zars.