Our approach is multidisciplinary, drawing on the fields of physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.
Current research is centered in two areas.
We're investigating the neuroendocrine regulation of growth and molting in crustaceans. From the standpoint of comparative physiology, the crustacean system is proving to be a useful model for study of the regulation of steroidogenesis and the structure and function of neurosecretory cells. Like vertebrate steroidogenic glands, Y-organs use cholesterol as a precursor for steroidogenesis and are controlled by a regulatory peptide. From the standpoint of applied science, manipulation of the crustacean endocrine system holds the prospect of providing a method for controlling growth and molting in these economically important organisms. We've developed an immunoassay for the egg yolk protein, vitellogenin, and studied the endocrine regulation of vitellogenin synthesis.