Biology subjects

Forster, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Forster, K..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Uneven research attention to biodiversity loss revealed by large language models

Biological diversity is crucial for ecosystem functioning and human well-being but is declining under multiple pressures from human activity. Research on biodiversity loss spans multiple ecological contexts, yet existing syntheses typically cover only subsets of the evidence base. We developed a systematic mapping framework based on large language models to screen and synthesize the scientific literature on biodiversity loss at scale. Applying our framework to 2.4 million bibliographic records, we identified 253,081 scientific articles on biodiversity loss, which we classified across five dimensions: geography, ecosystems, taxa, direct drivers (e.g., land- and sea-use change, climate change, and pollution), and specific threats (e.g., agriculture, hunting, and urban development). Chordates accounted for 34.8% of research attention but only 4.6% of described species. We find comparatively limited research attention to non-chordate animals, studies in Africa, and direct exploitation in marine systems. Overall, our systematic map provides a multidimensional view of research attention to biodiversity loss across various ecological contexts and can help identify evidence gaps to inform future research priorities.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

A split-GAL4 driver line resource for Drosophila CNS cell types

Techniques that enable precise manipulations of subsets of neurons in the fly central nervous system have greatly facilitated our understanding of the neural basis of behavior. Split-GAL4 driver lines allow specific targeting of cell types in Drosophila melanogaster and other species. We describe here a collection of 3060 lines targeting a range of cell types in the adult Drosophila central nervous system and 1373 lines characterized in third-instar larvae. These tools enable functional, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies based on precise anatomical targeting. NeuronBridge and other search tools relate light microscopy images of these split-GAL4 lines to connectomes reconstructed from electron microscopy images. The collections are the result of screening over 77,000 split hemidriver combinations. Previously published and new lines are included, all validated for driver expression and curated for optimal cell type specificity across diverse cell types. In addition to images and fly stocks for these well-characterized lines, we make available 300,000 new 3D images of other split-GAL4 lines.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

An image resource of subdivided Drosophila GAL4-driver expression patterns for neuron-level searches

Precise, repeatable genetic access to specific neurons via GAL4/UAS and related methods is a key advantage of Drosophila neuroscience. Neuronal targeting is typically documented using light microscopy of full GAL4 expression patterns, which generally lack the single-cell resolution required for reliable cell type identification. Here we use stochastic GAL4 labeling with the MultiColor FlpOut approach to generate cellular resolution confocal images at large scale. We are releasing aligned images of 74,000 such adult central nervous systems. An anticipated use of this resource is to bridge the gap between neurons identified by electron or light microscopy. Identifying individual neurons that make up each GAL4 expression pattern improves the prediction of split-GAL4 combinations targeting particular neurons. To this end we have made the images searchable on the NeuronBridge website. We demonstrate the potential of NeuronBridge to rapidly and effectively identify neuron matches based on morphology across imaging modalities and datasets.

neuroscience↗