Rate My Professor Brett Berke

The research in the Berke Lab employs the genetic model organism Drosophila melanogaster to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying synapse formation, animal locomotion, and neural degeneration. Specific projects examine novel molecules at the larval neuromuscular junction, genetic regulation of decision-making during larval crawling, and selective neuronal vulnerability in fly models of neurodegenerative disease. Berke's contributions to synaptic plasticity and neurodevelopment are documented in key publications, including Sukhanova, T. et al. (2025) "The roles of the Numb protein in synaptic development and plasticity" in Developmental Biology; Galbraith, A. et al. (2021) "Reducing the expression of the Numb adaptor protein in neurons increases the searching behavior of Drosophila larvae" in microPublication Biology; Thies, M. and Berke, B. (2020) "Roles of the Fem-1 gene in Drosophila melanogaster adult courtship and neuromuscular junction development" in Impulse; McNeill, E.M. et al. (2020) "Drosophila Enabled Promotes Synapse Morphogenesis and Regulates Active Zone Form and Function" in Neural Development; and Berke, B. et al. (2017) "Target-Dependent Retrograde Signaling Mediates Synaptic Plasticity at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction" in Developmental Neurobiology. Additional publications cover retrograde BMP signaling and temperature-dependent neuronal plasticity. At Truman, Berke teaches courses such as Neurobiology, Cell Biology, Animal Physiology, Principles of Human Physiology, and graduate-level Scientific Writing and Seminars.