Stephanie M. Rollmann, Home page, University of Cincinnati

Behaviors are complex traits influenced by many interacting genes and sensitive to the environment. My research focuses on understanding the genetic architecture of behavior by combining behavioral genetic, molecular genetic and genomic approaches. In particular, my research centers on the following critical questions: What are the genes that shape the behavior? How do ensembles of genes act together to give rise to the behavioral phenotype? and To what extent do polymorphisms in these genes account for phenotypic variation in natural populations?

To address these questions we have used chemosensory behavior in Drosophila melanogaster as a model. Drosophila melanogaster provides an excellent model system for examining the genetic architecture of chemosensory behavior as it is readily amenable to genetic, neuroanatomical and behavioral analyses. Currently, we have been using a combination of behavioral, molecular genetic and genomic approaches to: (1) identify novel genes that mediate chemosensory behavior, (2) examine the relationship between chemosensory behavior and life history traits, such as longevity and starvation resistance, and (3) investigate the nature and pattern of molecular polymorphisms in chemoreceptor loci that contribute to variation in behavioral responses in a natural population of D. melanogaster. The ability to integrate these approaches in this system provides us with exciting opportunities to gain new insights into the genetic architecture and evolution of behavior.

Click here for information on a new job opportunity in my lab as a research technician.

	Stephanie M. Rollmann Assistant Professor Ph.D., University of Chicago
Address: Department of Biological Sciences 805C Rieveschl Hall University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0006	Telephone: 556-9729 FAX: 556-5299 Email: rollmasm@ucmail.uc.edu