Control of nociceptive sensitivity in an insect model system
Are you curious about how animals detect and respond to things that might hurt them? This research investigates how the caterpillar Manduca sexta adjusts its sensitivity to harmful stimuli, making it an excellent model for studying nociception. The project explores four key aspects: (1) how specific areas of the body become more sensitive after stimulation, (2) how pain sensitivity spreads throughout the body, (3) why nociceptive responses decrease during rest, and (4) which molecular signals regulate these changes. Using behavioral tests, neural recordings, and molecular tools, we aim to uncover how the nervous system modulates pain sensitivity in response to environmental demands. If you are interested in neurobiology, animal behavior, or experimental techniques in physiology, this project offers exciting opportunities for hands-on research!
Name of research group, project, or lab
Trimmer Lab (Neuromechanics and Biomimetic Devices Laboratory)
This research is based in a fun lab that emphasizes curiosity and independence. We have a very wide range of facilities that includes a full neurophysiology suite, cell culture and molecular tools and a "project room" for building whatever you need for your experiments. Although the live animal work is focused on the insect Manduca sexta, we also encourage students to think about the wider implications of their research. With this in mind ,we build soft robots that can squeeze through difficult terrain and grow insect cells in culture for possible use as living actuators or food production.
