Mass spectrometry

I will be establishing the liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry method of quantifying neurochemicals from insect brains at the University of Konstanz. I will be using the Waters XEVO-TQS triple quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled to a Waters Acquity UPLC system. This method is intended to be transferable to different insects. Current sub-projects include optimizing lyophilization conditions for brain dissections of ants, using in-house made stage-tips for sample cleanup and standardizing the Bradford method of protein estimation for species with large brain size variation.

Honey bee foragers show a strong diurnal rhythm of foraging activity, and such behavioral changes are likely under the control of specific neuromodulators. To identify and quantify neuromodulators involved in regulating rest and arousal in honey …