Sleep switch found in fruit flies

Rather than count sheep, drink warm milk or listen to soothing music, many insomniacs probably wish for a switch they could flick to put themselves to sleep.



Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered such a switch in the brains of fruit flies. In a study appearing June 24 in Science, the researchers show that a group of approximately 20 cells in the brains of fruit flies controls when and how long the flies sleep. Slumber induced through this sleep switch was essential to the creation of long-term memory, directly proving a connection between memory and sleep that scientists have long suspected.

“This is exciting because this induced sleep state so far appears to be very similar to spontaneous sleep,” says Paul Shaw, PhD, associate professor of neurobiology. “That means we can manipulate these cells to explore a whole new realm of questions about the purposes of sleep. Such studies might one day lead us to more natural ways of inducing sleep in humans.”



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Needlemans receive Eliot Society ‘Search’ Award

photo by Joe Angeles
Philip (left at podium) and Sima Needleman accept the Eliot Society's highest honor at its annual celebration on May 11, as Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton looks on. The Needlemans received the “Search” Award, which is given each year to a person or couple to recognize extraordinary dedication and service to the university. The event was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Clayton.

It is one of the most anticipated rites of spring on campus: friends of Washington University in St. Louis gather to mark another year of generosity from the group of alumni, parents and colleagues who collectively provide the largest amount of unrestricted support to the university through membership in the William Greenleaf Eliot Society.


At this year’s Eliot Society event May 11 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, members enjoyed fine dining and camaraderie, heard an address by former Secretary of State James Baker, III and watched as Sima and Philip Needleman received the Society’s “Search” Award for their extraordinary dedication to Washington University.

“This year’s Search awardees, Philip and Sima Needleman, have an enduring association with Washington University, and have served the institution in many important ways,” Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton says. “It was a pleasure to acknowledge their significant and lasting contributions.”

Eliot Society President John Beuerlein introduced Baker, JD, who provided timely insights regarding foreign policy and current events in the Middle East.

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