The nervous system of experimentally favorable insects, such as the sphinx moth Manduca sexta, are tractable and useful models of neural development, functional organization of sensory and motor neural pathways, and molecular mechanisms of inter- and intracellular signalling. We study the nervous system of Manduca and other insect species in order to learn about the development and functioning of neural systems, especially the olfactory and neurosecretory systems. Our approach is multidisciplinary; the methods of behavioral analysis, biochemistry, electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry, light and electron microscopy, molecular biology, and tissue culture are used in our explorations of neural development and function.
Two main lines of research are currently in progress. (1) Investigations of olfactory mechanisms underlying interactions of adult moths with hostplants and conspecific mating partners. In addition to neurophysiological, anatomical, and behavioral studies, this research involves chemical analysis of volatile substances released by hostplants. (2) Immunocytochemical and functional studies of neurosecretory and neuromodulatory systems in insects.
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Reisenman, C.E., T.A. Christensen, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2005. Chemosensory selectivity of output neurons innervating an identified, sexually isomorphic olfactory glomerulus. Journal of Neuroscience 25: 8017-8026.
Dacks, A.M., T.A. Christensen, H.-J. Agricola, L. Wollweber, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2005. Octopamine-immunoreactive neurons in the brain and subesophageal ganglion of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. Journal of Comparative Neurology 488: 255-268.
Mercer, A.R., P. Kloppenburg, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2005. Plateau potentials in developing antennal-lobe neurons of the moth, Manduca sexta. Journal of Neurophysiology 93: 1949-1958.
Lei, H., T.A. Christensen, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2004. Spatial and temporal organization of ensemble representations for different odor classes in the moth antennal lobe. Journal of Neuroscience 24: 11108-11119.
Heinbockel, T., T.A. Christensen, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2004. Representation of binary pheromone blends by glomerulus-specific olfactory projection neurons. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 190: 1023-1037.
Guerenstein, P.G., T.A. Christensen, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2004. Sensory processing of ambient-CO2 information in the brain of the moth Manduca sexta. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 190: 707-725.
Daly, K.C., T.A. Christensen, H. Lei, B.H. Smith, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2004. Learning modulates the ensemble representations for odors in primary olfactory networks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A. 101: 10476-10481.
Gibson, N.J., J.D. Hildebrand, and L.P. Tolbert. 2004. Glycosylation patterns are sexually dimorphic throughout development of the olfactory system in Manduca sexta. Journal of Comparative Neurology 476: 1-18.
Reisenman, C.E., T.A. Christensen, W. Francke, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2004. Enantioselectivity of projection neurons innervating identified olfactory glomeruli. Journal of Neuroscience 24: 2602-2611.
Christensen, T.A., H. Lei, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2003. Coordination of central odor representations through transient, non-oscillatory synchronization of glomerular output neurons. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A. 100: 11076-11081.
Fraser, A.M., W.L. Mechaber, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2003. Electroantennographic responses of the sphinx moth Manduca sexta to host plant headspace volatiles. Journal of Chemical Ecology 29: 1813-1833.
Shiga, S., N.T. Davis, and J.G. Hildebrand. 2003. Role of neurosecretory cells in the photoperiodic induction of pupal diapause of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta. Journal of Comparative Neurology 462: 275-285.
