Ian Orchard

Ian Orchard

Professor Emeritus
Biology

Research - Insect Physiology

Current research concerns investigations into aminergic and peptidergic neurons in insects and other invertebrates, with a view to elucidating the properties underlying integration and regulation of the nervous system. Specific areas of study include electrical recording and intracellular staining of identified peptidergic and aminergic neurons; identification of neuroactive substances and their receptors using molecular biology, HPLC, RIA and immunohistochemistry; pharmacological properties of receptors; involvement of second messengers in mediating target responses; and the use of this information in the biorational design of pesticides. Systems of particular interest include those associated with FMRFamide-related peptides, diuretic and antidiuretic hormones, proctolin, octopamine, dopamine and serotonin.

 

Publications

  • Lee, D.H., Paluzzi, J.P., Orchard, I. and Lange, A.B. (2011) Isolation, cloning and expression of the Crustacean Cardioactive Peptide gene in the Chagas’ disease vector, Rhodnius prolixus. Peptides. 32: 475-482
  • Zandawala, M., Paluzzi, J.P. and Orchard, I. (2011) Isolation and characterization of three transcript variants encoding the calcitonin-like peptide in the vector, Rhodnius prolixus. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 331: 79-88
  • Paluzzi, J.P., Park, Y., Nachman, R.J. and Orchard, I. (2010) Isolation, expression analysis and functional characterization of the first anti-diuretic hormone receptor in insects. PNAS 107: 10290-10295.
  • Ianowski, J.P., Paluzzi, J.P., Te Brugge, V.A. and Orchard, I. (2010) A novel antidiuretic mechanism in insects: the antidiuretic neurohormone RhoprCAPA-2 down regulates fluid transport across the anterior midgut in the bloodfeeding insect Rhodnius prolixus. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 298: R548-R557.
  • Paluzzi, J.-P. and Orchard, I. (2010) A second gene encodes the antidiuretic hormone and other CAPA-related peptides in the blood-feeding hemipteran, Rhodnius prolixus. Molec. Cell. Endocrinol., 317: 53-63