Jatsch, Anne-Sophie

Honeybee colonies (Apis, Apidae, Hymenoptera) are remarkable examples of superorganisms due to their complex social organization. My personal research interest is based on their sophisticated chemical communication systems and behavioral biology.

While much of the research on communication via pheromones has been conducted on Apis mellifera, little is known about the ecological and functional diversity of pheromone profiles across the other eight – currently recognized – honeybee species. Hence, my research aims to address this gap by comparatively investigating the social pheromones produced by not only A. mellifera, but also other honeybee species.

Another key area of my investigations involves the role of cuticular hydrocarbons in communication, particularly their significance in nestmate recognition and their plasticity in response to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. To further explore these mechanisms, I support ongoing research by analyzing chemical data obtained through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. On the molecular front, I am learning advanced methodologies, including CRISPR/Cas9, to create knockout mutants in A. mellifera. These tools enable me to investigate how gene-level modifications influence honeybee behavior and physiology. Additionally, I rear honeybees by hand, creating controlled experimental conditions that are critical for understanding their development and social behaviors

By integrating molecular methods, behavioral assays, and chemical analyses, my work seeks to bridge the disciplines of behavior, physiology, and chemical communication, ultimately advancing our understanding of the remarkable social organization of these superorganisms.

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