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Home -> Department Directory -> Faculty -> Karen A. Mesce

Karen A. Mesce Professor

Mailing Address: 219 Hodson Hall, 1980 Folwell Ave. University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55108 Phone: 612-624-3734 (lab); 612-624-3765 (office) E-mail: mesce001@tc.umn.edu

Education: Ph.D. University of Oregon, Eugene B.A. U.C. San Diego, La Jolla Research Interests: We are investigating the neural mechanisms underlying the generation of behavior in simpler invertebrate "model" systems. Currently, we are studying the structure and function of neurons in the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis and the hawkmoth, Manduca sexta. These preparations were chosen for study because individual neurons can be identified from animal to animal and followed through development. Many of our research projects involve an examination of how neurons change during development to give rise to adult-specific behaviors. As Manduca develops from the larval to adult form, dramatic changes in its nervous system are observed. Some larval neurons (not needed by the adult) undergo developmentally programmed cell death, while others are retained and re-modeled; their morphology and synaptic contacts become altered. In addition, many new neurons are generated de novo and are used only in the adult stage. Our goals are to understand how all of these changes, which are under hormonal regulation, contribute to the "construction" of particular adult behaviors. We have focused on the re-use of larval interneurons and the cellular mechanisms that enable "old" neurons to be incorporated into the adult nervous system to generate new behaviors. Our methods include: intra- and extracellular electrophysiological techniques, intracellular dye injection, laser scanning confocal microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and behavioral analysis. Teaching Interests: Ent-5030 - Insect Physiology NSc 5550 - Lake Itasca Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory Ent/NSC 5480 - Invertebrate Neurobiology

Selected Recent Publications: Crisp, K. M., and K. A. Mesce. 2006. Beyond the central pattern generator: amine modulation of decision-making neural pathways descending from the brain of the medicinal leech. Journal of Experimental Biology 209:1746-1756. Goode, K., Z. Huber, K. A. Mesce, and M. Spivak. 2006. Hygienic behavior of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) is independent of sucrose responsiveness and foraging ontogeny. Hormones and Behavior 49:391-397. Crisp, K. M., and K. A. Mesce. 2004. A cephalic projection neuron involved in locomotion is dye coupled to the dopaminergic neural network in the medicinal leech. Journal of Experimental Biology 207:4535-4542. Crisp, K. M., and K. A. Mesce. 2003. To swim or not to swim: regional effects of serotonin, octopamine and amine mixtures in the medicinal leech. Journal of Comparative Physiology A Sensory Neural & Behavioral Physiology 189:461-470. Spivak, M., R. Masterman, R. Ross, and K. A. Mesce. 2003. Hygienic behavior in the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) and the modulatory role of octopamine. Journal of Neurobiology 55:341-354. Crisp, K. M., K. A. Klukas, L. S. Gilchrist, A. J. Nartey, and K. A. Mesce. 2002. Distribution and development of dopamine- and octopamine-synthesizing neurons in the medicinal leech. Journal of Comparative Neurology 442:115-129. Esch, T., K. A. Mesce, and W. B. Kristan. 2002. Evidence for sequential decision making in the medicinal leech. Journal of Neurobiology 22:11045-11054. Honegger, H. W., D. Market, L. A. Pierce, E. M. Dewey, B. Kostron, M. Wilson, D. Choi, K. A. Klukas, and K. A. Mesce. 2002. Cellular localization of bursicon using antisera against partial peptide sequences of this insect cuticle-sclerotizing neurohormone. Journal of Comparative Neurology 452:163-177. Mesce, K. A. 2002. Metamodulation of the biogenic amines: second-order modulation by steroid hormones and amine cocktails. Brain Behavior and Evolution 60:339-349. Mesce, K. A. 2002. Preface: Modulation of Neuromodulators. Brain Behavior and Evolution 60:337-338. Mesce, K. A., and S. E. Fahrbach. 2002. Integration of endocrine signals that regulate insect ecdysis. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology 23:179-199.