Vivid Biology ltd is on pause until 2028 whilst Claudia is living in Madrid, Spain. Claudia is still taking on design work as a freelancer.
Covert communication in insects
2012
Richard Benton
Summary of the science
In Professor Richard Benton's lab, scientists study how insects use their sense of smell to interact with the world around them. Smell works when odour molecules enter our nose and bind to special proteins, called receptors. These receptors send signals to our brain, allowing us to perceive and recognise different smells. They investigate the tiny genes and nerve cells that allow insects to detect different scents. By understanding these mechanisms, they hope to uncover the secrets of how insects perceive smells and how this influences their behaviour. Their research also helps in finding new ways to control insects that spread diseases or damage crops by using smells that affect their behaviour.
About the research
Richard Benton's lab focuses on studying the structure, function, and evolutionary aspects of nervous systems, particularly the olfactory system. They primarily use the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model organism due to its relatively simple yet sophisticated nervous system, which allows for comprehensive experimentation. Their research incorporates various disciplines such as bioinformatics, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, electrophysiology, optical imaging, and behavioural analysis. The lab aims to gain fundamental insights into the development, and plasticity of nervous systems. Additionally, their work has practical implications in designing new chemical sensors and devising strategies to control the behaviours of disease-carrying insects and agricultural pests using odor-based cues.
About the illustration
We wanted to keep it simple and focus on the model organism at hand. It helps the reader to visualise the tiny insect and better understand its relevance to the research discussed.