Project 8: Electrophysiological and behavioural studies with Phyllotreta flee beatles
Supervisors: Prof. Bill Hansson, Dr. Franziska Beran, Prof. Jonathan Gershenzon, MPI-CE
Phyllotreta flea beetles like it spicy as they prefer host plants from the mustard family. Mustard oil glucosides (glucosinolates) are responsible for the typical taste and smell of these plants. By using both behavioral and electrophysiological approaches we want to study the role of these plant metabolites in mediating for example the location of a suitable host plant by Phyllotreta beetles.
The project is part of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) “The Exploration of Ecological Interactions with Molecular and Chemical Techniques” in Jena, Germany. Students holding a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in molecular biology, ecology, entomology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry and neuroethology, with a proven record of success in one of the disciplines and interest in examining ecological interactions, are eligible to conduct a doctoral project within the IMPRS.
The Research School is a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, and the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research. The main focus is on the interaction between plants and animals, and their environment, as well as the evolutionary and behavioral consequences of these interactions.
Application deadline is June 26, 2011. For detailed information about the IMPRS, PhD topics offered and application requirements, please visit our website http://imprs.ice.mpg.de/.
Supervisors: Prof. Bill Hansson, Dr. Franziska Beran, Prof. Jonathan Gershenzon, MPI-CE
Phyllotreta flea beetles like it spicy as they prefer host plants from the mustard family. Mustard oil glucosides (glucosinolates) are responsible for the typical taste and smell of these plants. By using both behavioral and electrophysiological approaches we want to study the role of these plant metabolites in mediating for example the location of a suitable host plant by Phyllotreta beetles.
The project is part of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) “The Exploration of Ecological Interactions with Molecular and Chemical Techniques” in Jena, Germany. Students holding a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in molecular biology, ecology, entomology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry and neuroethology, with a proven record of success in one of the disciplines and interest in examining ecological interactions, are eligible to conduct a doctoral project within the IMPRS.
The Research School is a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, and the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research. The main focus is on the interaction between plants and animals, and their environment, as well as the evolutionary and behavioral consequences of these interactions.
Application deadline is June 26, 2011. For detailed information about the IMPRS, PhD topics offered and application requirements, please visit our website http://imprs.ice.mpg.de/.
