William George Bendena, Queen’s University
Department of Biology
Professor
Kingston, Ontario
bendenaw@queensu.ca
Office:
(613) 533-6121
Bio/Research
Managing the insect pest problem in Canadian forestry and agriculture is a key economic, health and environmental issue for Canada. Replacing current chemical controls with more environmentally benign biological treatments is based on understanding the biology of the organism. For example, how d...
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Bio/Research
Managing the insect pest problem in Canadian forestry and agriculture is a key economic, health and environmental issue for Canada. Replacing current chemical controls with more environmentally benign biological treatments is based on understanding the biology of the organism. For example, how do insects change from one form to another as they grow? What controls how females produce eggs? How do chemical signals from the brain control maturation and reproduction. What controls an insect’s choice between staying in one location to feed or travel long distances? The answer to these questions relates back to the nervous system and chemical messengers that regulate hormone systems that in turn have downstream effects on behaviour.
We have used genetically manipulatable organisms such as Drosophila melanogastervand Caenorhabditis elegans to identify and manipulate small proteins (neuropeptides) of the nervous system and their G-protein coupled receptors to uncover effects on behaviours that may result in changing the organism;s locomotion, growth and/or reproduction.
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We have used genetically manipulatable organisms such as Drosophila melanogastervand Caenorhabditis elegans to identify and manipulate small proteins (neuropeptides) of the nervous system and their G-protein coupled receptors to uncover effects on behaviours that may result in changing the organism;s locomotion, growth and/or reproduction.
Click to Shrink <<