Project properties

Title <B>Brain morphogenesis in a parasitoid model species<B>: <I>genes regulating parasitoid olfaction</I>
Group Entomology, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 36-39
Supervisor(s) Aidan Williams, Eveline Verhulst
Examiner(s) Marcel Dicke
Contact info Aidan.williams@wur.nl
Begin date 2022/09/01
End date
Description Have you ever wondered how insects use their brain; or whether they possess a brain after all?
How do insects find and recognize their significant other?

In the next academic year (starting September/October) you have the opportunity to perform a diverse interdisciplinary thesis project and dive in the mind of parasitoid wasps. You will use reverse genetics to target genes regulating brain development and visualize the effects on brain morphology using several immunostaining techniques and confocal microscopy. You will also analyze the effect on parasitoid mating behaviour and the ability to recognize hosts.

The emphasis of this project is on the emergence of sexual differences and parasitoid pheromone-guided behaviour.

If you’re interested and would like to know more, don’t hesitate to send me an email (aidan.williams@wur.nl)!
Used skills Confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, RNA interference, insect microinjection, qPCR and rt-PCR, behavioural analyses, parasitoid rearing
Requirements For doing a MSc-thesis or internship at Entomology, the following requirements apply: ENT-30806 + a second ENT-course (preferably ENT-30306 or ENT-50806 or ENT-53806). As an alternative for the second ENT-course, PHP-30806 or BHE-30306 can be selected.