Responses to Cues Associated with Kinship

威索基博士研究的长期目标是了解犁鼻和嗅觉系统在化学感觉交流中的不同作用。独立于嗅觉系统的犁鼻系统在许多神经内分泌和行为反应的调节中起着至关重要的作用。以小鼠为模型系统，威索基博士已经证明，犁鼻器官负责检测物种内部、生物学上相关的气味或信息素。在研究机会奖的支持下，他的研究计划的广度现在可以通过采用更一般的比较方法来扩展。卡尔博士是海狸学院的教授，这是一家小型本科教学机构。他将在休假期间与威索基博士在宾夕法尼亚州费城的莫内尔化学传感中心共事。卡尔博士将确定家犬是否有能力识别亲属。如果成功，研究人员将探索亲属识别的遗传和经验决定因素，并在持续的合作中，确定嗅觉和犁鼻系统在犬类中的作用。

The long-term goal of Dr. Wysocki's research is to understand the distinct roles of the vomeronasal and the olfactory systems in chemosensory communication. The vomeronasal system, which independent of the olfactory system, is of prime importance in the mediation of numerous neuroendocrine and behavioral responses. Using mice as a model system, Dr. Wysocki has shown that the vomeronasal organ is responsible for the detection of within species, biologically relevant odors or pheromones. With the support from a Research Opportunity Award, the breadth of his research program can now be extended by adopting a more general comparative approach. Dr. Carr is a Professor from Beaver College, a small undergraduate teaching institution. He will spend his sabbatical leave working with Dr. Wysocki at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Carr will determine whether domestic dogs are capable of recognizing kin. If successful, the investigators will explore the genetic and experiential determinants of kin recognition, and, in continued collaborative work, determine the roles of the olfactory and vomeronasal systems in canines.