Olfactory modulation and integration

The goal is to study the modulation and integration of olfactory signals from the antennae in higher order brain centres in the moths Spodoptera littoralis (African Cotton Leafworm) and Manduca sexta (Sphinx moth / Hawk moth). This will be done by physiological recordings from local interneurons and projection neurons in the antennal lobes (the first olfactory brain center of insects), by use of whole cell patch clamping and optical imaging techniques. In addition, application of chemicals (octopamine and tyramine), known to alter the signal transduction between neurons, will be used in order to assess the function of these chemicals in the olfactory system of the two moth species.

 

To further understand the effect of octopamine and tyramine, molecular biological techniques will be used to evaluate the distribution of the chemicals and their specific receptors. These experiments will also include assessment the effect of previous experience of the moths - naïve moths versus moths that have been exposed to certain odours.

 

Personnel

Sophie Kromann, Rickard Ignell

 

Funding

IC-E3