In a joint effort, researchers from the Vienna University of Technology, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) have developed a device called FlyMAD (Fly Mind Altering Device) for the thermo-genetic control of fruit flies.

The device has helped researchers to target light or heat to specific body regions of flies in motion further helping in assessing the animal's brain cells.

With the use of the device, researchers have also been able to know two specific neuronal cell types that handle courtship behaviour of the fruit fly. The device is capable of providing highly improved temporal resolution.

Banking upon this technology, researchers got new insight about the individual roles of the two neuronal cell types in the brain. One type of neuron was correlated with a persistent state of courtship, whereas, the other cell type was vital for the action of singing.

Researchers said about FlyMAD, "is a system for targeting freely walking flies (Drosophila) with lasers. By steering the optical path of the laser using large diameter mirrors, it also enables simultaneous imaging of the target region".

Further explaining, researchers said the process using the through-the-mirrors (TTM) targets specific body parts. In unison, it allows thermo and opto-genetic manipulation of the fly nervous system.