Johannes Gowin

"Molecular basis for reproductive division of labour in termites"

CV:   since 02/2010 Ph.D.: „Molecular basis for reproductive division of labour in termites“ Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Judith Korb, Osnabrück 06/2008 - 06/2009 Diploma thesis: „Sex specificity of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles plus transport and perception of hydrocarbons in the genus Bombus (Hymenoptera, Apidae)“ Supervisor: Dr. Thomas Schmidt, Freiburg 04/2005 - 06/2009 advanced studies in Biology at the Albert-Ludwigs-University,Freiburg 10/2002 - 03/2005 basic studies in Biology at University of Cologne 06/2001 academic high school diploma at the Erich-Kästner academic high school in Cologne

 

Research:

Termites, usually recognised as pest species, beside bees, ants and wasps (Hymenoptera) are the example for eusociality. But termites aren’t closely related to Hymenopterans, they’re rather cockroaches – social cockroaches. By phenotypic plasticity different castes are present, i.e. they differ in morphology and gene expression levels.

My research will focus on genes that maintain a diversion of the castes and thereby are overexpressed in one caste. Furthermore I am interested in the functions of the found genes, that is which processes and behaviours are affected by them.

 

Methods:

 •  qPCR (real time PCR)

•  solid phase micro extraction (SPME) + gas chromatography-mass spektrometry (GC-MS)

•  cDNA representational difference analysis (cDNA-RDA)

•  behavioural bioassays

 

Conferences and workshops:

 •  Gowin J., Weil T. & Korb J. (2010), talk „Molecular basis for reproductive division of labour in   

a lower termite“, Bernhard Rensch summer school „genome evolution“, Fraueninsel Chiemsee

 •  Gowin J., Weil T. & Korb J. (2010), talk „Molecular basis for reproductive division of labour in

    a lower termite“, 16^th International IUSSI Congress, Copenhagen, Denmark

  

Publications: 

•  under construction