Ares, Manuel

Honey bee colonies are remarkable examples of complex social systems, in which thousands of individuals coordinate their behaviour to maintain colony function. One of the most fascinating aspects of these societies is their division of labour, where workers perform different tasks throughout their lifetime while retaining the flexibility to adjust their behaviour according to the colony's needs. However, the mechanisms that allow colony members to coordinate these behavioural transitions remain poorly understood.

My research interests focus on understanding how chemical communication contributes to the organization of honey bee societies. In particular, I am interested in the role of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), a diverse group of compounds that have traditionally been associated with nestmate recognition. While CHC profiles are known to change during the transition between different social tasks, especially between nurse bees and foragers, their potential role in coordinating social interactions and division of labour within the colony remains largely unexplored.

To address these questions, I investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying task-related changes in CHC profiles and their behavioural significance. My work combines transcriptomic and functional genetic approaches, including RNA sequencing, RNA interference and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, to identify and characterize genes involved in the regulation of CHC composition. In addition, I conduct behavioural experiments to examine how CHC-associated information influences social interactions and colony organization. By integrating molecular biology, behaviour and chemical ecology, I aim to contribute to a better understanding of how chemical signals help maintain the flexibility and social organization of honey bee colonies.

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