Gordon A. Wyse
Emeritus Professor
Contact Info
Phone: 413-545-0477
Office: 201A Morrill III South
Education
A.B., Swarthmore College, 1961
Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1967
Postdoctoral
1972-1973, Stanford University
1982-1983, Harvard Medical School
Research Interests
Neurotransmitters, Neuromodulators, and Behavior in Simpler Nervous Systems
Motor programs stored in the CNS control many innate, species-specific patterns of animal behavior. Examples include rhythmic activities such as walking, swimming, flying, feeding, and respiratory activity. We are attempting to map neural circuits that generate such patterns of behavior, and to clarify the roles of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators acting in these circuits. For example, we have shown that an isolated central nervous system of the horseshoe crab Limulus contains circuitry that produces the appropriate pattern of motor output for feeding behavior. When octopamine is perfused into the isolated nervous system, it activates this feeding motor program; moreover, octopamine injections into intact animals induce feeding behavior. Octopamine in this case could be acting as a neurotransmitter, as a hormone, or as a local neuromodulator (i.e. acting at a distance and time course intermediate between that of a hormone and a transmitter). We are exploring the actions of octopamine and other neuroactive agents on neurons and simple neural circuits, as well as attempting to determine the behavioral roles of these agents in caterpillar feeding, Limulus sensory receptor sensitivity, and cricket reproduction. These studies employ techniques of electrophysical recording, anatomy of identified neurons (by dye fills and by immunohistochemistry), pharmacology, and behavior.
Representative Publications
Wyse, G.A. 2010. Central pattern generation underlying Limulus rhythmic behavior patterns. Curr. Zool., 56: 537-549.
Hill, R.W., G.A. Wyse, and M. Anderson. 2008. Animal Physiology (2nd ed.). Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.
Bowdan, E. and Wyse, G.A. 2000. Temporally patterned activity recorded from mandibular nerves of the isolated subesophageal ganglion of Manduca. J. Insect Physiology 46: 709-719.
Bowdan, E. and Wyse, G.A. 1997. Removing antennae and maxillae has little effect on feeding on normal host plants by two species of caterpillar. J. Insect Physiol. 43: 1053-1063.
Bowdan, E. and Wyse, G.A. 1996. Finding Food: Neuroethological Aspects of Foraging. Introductioin, and Sensory Ecology: Introduction. Biol. Bull. 191: 57-59; 122-123.
Bowdan, E. and Wyse, G.A. (eds.) 1996. Finding Food: Neuroethological Aspects of Foraging. Proceedings of a symposium in honor of Vincent Gaston Dethier (1915-1993). Biol. Bull. 191: 55-138.
Lee, H.M. and G.A. Wyse. 1991. Immunocytochemical localization of octopamine in the central nervous system of Limulus polyphemus: A light and electron microscopic study. J. Comp. Neurol. 307: 683-694.
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Current News
- About
- Undergraduate
- Advising
- Major Requirements
- Major Requirements Checklist (PDF)
- Recommended Course Sequences
- Courses Approved as Major Electives
- Declaring a Biology Major
- Integrative Experience
- Minor Requirements
- Departmental Honors
- Study Abroad
- Course Catalog
- Course Offerings 2021-22
- Learning Goals
- Research Opportunities
- Awards & Scholarships
- Residential Programs
- Undergrad Handbook (PDF)
- Petitions and Forms
- 2022 Senior Celebration
- Majors Week
- Graduate
- Faculty
- Research
- Facilities
- Alumni
- Make a Gift…