The Städele laboratory is interested in the sensory and molecular neurobiology of host-seeking
and host-preference in ticks. Tick populations are rising globally and have doubled over the last
14 years. While ticks aren’t yet as deadly as mosquitos, they transmit a greater diversity of infectious agents than any other group of blood-feeding arthropods like Borreliosis (Lyme disease), tick-borne encephalitis (FSME), and Anaplasmosis. Male and female ticks need at least one blood meal in each
of their three developmental stages to reproduce.
Despite their importance as disease vectors, we currently have no good understanding of
what makes a tick tick. Consequently, we also have no good way to control rising tick populations.
One possible control strategy is interfering with the tick’s ability to locate hosts. However, tick neurobiology has been strongly neglected. The sensory and neuronal abilities of ticks remain
mysterious. We aim to overcome this limitation and employ tools and assays to better understand
ticks‘ sensory neurobiology.
Research Interests
— How do ticks find hosts, e.g., what does host-seeking in ticks look like?
— What sensory (host-emitted) cues do ticks use to find hosts?
— What sensory organs do they possess, and how are these sensory organs equipped
to detect environmental cues?
— What does the nervous system of ticks look like?
— How are sensory signals integrated and processed in the tick brain?
Group Members
Dr. Carola Städele, Group Leader
Gülinay Cetinkaya, Student Assistant
Lisa Louws, PhD Student
Bele Metzner, Student Assistant
Yusheng Tan, Ph.D. Student
Tel. +49-551-39 65 925
carola.staedele(at)…
staedele-lab.com