Kathleen A. Killian

Biographical Information

Our neuroscience and behavior lab investigates the link between the insect immune system and the regulation of adult neurogenesis and brain plasticity; the maturation of agonistic behavior; and the determination of social status. We use the cricket, a model influential in the study of agonistic behavior, as our model organism. We also examine how perturbations, such as cold temperature stress, can lead to inflammation and changes in brain function and behavior. In our lab, we utilize behavioral assays; immune system assays; histology; immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy; as well as RNAi, qPCR and other molecular biology techniques. Our overarching goal is to examine the immune system’s ability to influence brain function and animal behavior.

 

Selected Publications

• Charles HM, Killian KA (2015) Response of the insect immune system to three different immune J. Insect Physiol. 81:97‐108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.07.005
• Pinera AV, Charles HM, Dinh TA, Killian KA (2013) Maturation of the immune system of the male house cricket, Acheta domesticus. Insect Physiol. 59:752-760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2013.05.008
• Ghosal K, Naples SP, Rabe A and Killian KA (2010) Agonistic behavior and electrical stimulation of the antennae induces Fos-like protein expression in the male cricket brain.  Archives Insect Biochem. Physiol. 74(1):38-51. https://doi.org/10.1002/arch.20360
• Ghosal K, Gupta M and Killian KA (2009) Dominance status enhances adult neurogenesis in male Acheta domesticus J. Exp. Biol. 212: 2045-2056. http://jeb.biologists.org/content/212/13/2045.short
• Killian KA and Allen JR (2008) Mating resets male cricket aggression. Insect Behav. 21:535-54. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10905-008-9148-x

Courses Taught

• BIO/PSY 159:  Seminar in Neuroscience
• BIO 305:  Human Physiology
• BIO 469/569:  Neurophysiology
• BIO 710:  Graduate Seminar in Neuroscience