How and why does activating the immune system alter behaviour?  And why does the performance of some behaviours alter the ability to resist disease?

To answer these questions, we examine interactions between the immune system and other physiological systems. These studies use a network analysis approach coupled with molecular, biochemical and behavioural techniques.  Currently we are determining how and why activating the immune response alters muscle function, as well as the behavioural consequences of these interactions.

How do some parasites manipulate the behaviour of their hosts?

We use behavioural, biochemical, and molecular methods to study how the parasitic wasp Cotesia congregata suppresses feeding in its host, the caterpillar Manduca sexta.

Parasites typically use multiple mechanisms to control host behaviour.  They also tend to exploit existing host mechanisms (e.g. hijacking immune/neural connections of the host). Studying how parasites influence host behaviour will help us integrate transcriptomic, proteomic and neurobiological perspectives on behaviour.