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

An anticipated use of this resource is to bridge the gap between electron microscopy-identified neurons and light microscopy-based intersectional genetic approaches such as the split-GAL4 system. Identifying the individual neurons that make up each GAL4 expression pattern improves the prediction of which GAL4 enhancer fragments best combine via split-GAL4 to target neurons of interest. To this end we have developed the search tool, which matches these light microscope neuronal images to neurons in the recently published FlyEM hemibrain. This work thus provides a resource and search tool that will significantly enhance both the efficiency and efficacy of split-GAL4 targeting of EM-identified neurons and further advance neuroscience.