Laurence Zwiebel
Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair, Department of Biological Sciences
Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Professor, Department of Pharmacology
The Zwiebel lab’s research focuses upon the molecular neurobiology of olfaction (smell) in malaria vector mosquitoes. Knowledge from these studies provides insight into odor coding and the evolution of anthropophily- the strong attraction to humans that is characteristic of these vectors. Ultimately, we hope to leverage our work towards the discovery and design of next-generation insect repellents.
The Zwiebel Lab also studies the role of olfaction in mediating the complex behaviors of eusocial ants. In these species, large families of chemosensory receptors respond to odor cues most notably cuticular hydrocarbon (CHCs) pheromones mediate social behaviors such as aggression, caste and nestmate recognition, as well as the regulation of reproduction and neuronal plasticity. These findings open the possibility of studying using ants as a model system to examine the genetics of sociality as it relates to humans and other animals.