Neuroscientists study the nervous system from the level of molecular genetics, to single cells (neurons), to systems, to behaviours. Molecular genetics, electrophysiology, pharmacology, anatomical techniques, microscopy, and behavioural tests are among the many approaches possible used to study the nervous system. The choice of model system in neuroscience requires a detailed analysis of the system itself, the tools avail-able and appropriateness of the model for the study in mind. We have presented this overview as an introduction to the use of Drosophila as a system for studying neuro-science across multiple levels. The simple organism has some distinct advantages over many others yet at the molecular and genetic level, the nervous system shows a high degree of evolutionary conservation. There are a few technical limitations, largely in neurophysiological techniques but these are rapidly being addressed and recent trans-genic developments have the potential to more than address the balance. Drosophila may not be ideal for every study, but where appropriate it is a fast, cost-effective, and extremely powerful model system.
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