Darron Cullen, PhD
student
BA (Hons) Biological Sciences
University of Oxford (Wadham College), 2002-05
MSc Biology (Integrative Bioscience)
University of Oxford (Department of Zoology), 2005-06
PhD title: The functional genomics of swarming behaviour in
the Australian Plague Locust (Chortoicetes
terminifera).
Supervisors: Dr. Greg Sword & Prof. Steve
Simpson
Funding: University of Sydney International Research
Scholarship
I first became interested in the global locust problem
whilst being taught by Prof. Steve Simpson during his time
at Oxford. He returned to these warmer climes towards the
end of my undergraduate degree, and I was lucky enough to
join his new group after finishing my MSc.
I’m investigating the genetic basis of swarming
behaviour in the native Australian plague locust. Our
collaborators at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing,
will identify candidate genes by cross-hybridising the
Australian species with microarrays based on the related
Locusta genus. I will then knock down the
expression of these genes in vivo using
double-stranded RNA interference, before examining the
change in swarming behaviour (if any) using a video-based
computerised assay. At least, that’s the plan.
I have arrived at an exciting time for the Molecular
Ecology Lab, with the recent award of a major grant from
the Australian Research Council. This will help strengthen
our ties with the Beijing group, and allow more flexibility
in our approach.
Contact:
darron.cullen[at]bio.usyd.edu.au
+61 43 0202 066
…and Facebook, obviously.