Chris Mullin, Ph.D.
- Professor of Entomology
University Park, PA 16802
Websites:
Education:
- B.S., Lehigh University, 1973
- Ph.D., Cornell University, 1979
Biography:
Department Focus Areas:
Chemical Ecology
Ecological Applications
Research Interests:
Toxicology, molecular mode of action of natural and synthetic toxins, insect gustation, selective biopesticides
Teaching:
Chemical Ecology
Modes of Toxicity
Research Activities & Interests:
I enjoy exploring the molecular mechanisms that determine the incredible differences in susceptibilities of species to the behavioral and internal effects of synthetic or natural poisons. My approach to elucidate precise, selective chemical methods of pest control is to choose insects that feed on specialized plant organs as guides to discovery. Pollen-, root- or phloem-feeding insects that are major crop pests provide a route to define adaptive mechanisms critical for feeding specialization, insect-plant interactions, and for resistance to food borne-toxicants. Our studies have identified amino acid receptors as models for selective taste and insecticide action, and the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and epoxide hydrolases as model detoxification enzymes for degrading sensory chemicals at respective nerve receptor sites.
Our recent investigations have focused on peptide and protein taste receptors in beetles. Pivotal to future success in this work is ascertaining the regulatory role of enzymes, proteins or small molecules present in saliva or other secretions that bathe the taste neurons. Knowing the distinctive chemical sensory code that determines the beetle's decision to consume pollens or other foods would permit new biopesticide approaches such as selective feeding stimulants for baits, non-antifeedant ingestive poisons, and non-allergenic, anti-pest peptides for transgenic crops.
Relevant Publications:
Mullin, CA, Saunders, MC, II, Leslie, TW, Biddinger, DJ, Fleischer, S J (2005) Toxic and behavioral effects to Carabidae of seed treatments used on cry3Bb1- and cry1Ab/c-protected corn, Environ. Entomol., 34 (6), 1626-1636
Kim JH, Mullin CA, Antifeedant effects of proteinase inhibitors on feeding of adult western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Journal of Chemical Ecology, 29(4), 795-810, 2003
Kim JH, Mullin CA, Impact of cysteine proteinase inhibition in midgut fluid and oral secretion on fecundity and pollen consumption of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 52(3), 139-54, 2003
Mullin CA, Kim JH, Phytochemical action at amino acid chemosensory receptors: An approach to biopesticides, In Advances in Biopesticide Research. O Koul and GS Dhaliwal (eds.), Vol. 1, Phytochemical Biopesticides. Harwood Academic Publishers, Amsterdam , pp. 45-71, 2001
Lin S, Mullin CA, Lipid, polyamide, and flavonol phagostimulants for adult western corn rootworm from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) pollen, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 47(3), 1223-9, March 1999 Abstract
Hollister B, Mullin CA, Isolation and identification of primary metabolite feeding stimulants for adult western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, from host pollens, Journal of Chemical Ecology, 25, 1263-1280, 1999
Research Interests:
- Chemical Ecology:
-
Molecular mechanisms underlying differences in susceptibilities of insect species to the effects of synthetic or natural poisons, amino acid receptors as models for selective taste and insecticide action, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and epoxide hydrolases as model detoxification enzymes degrading sensory chemicals at nerve receptor sites, peptide and protein taste receptors in beetles, development of novel biopesticides.
- Ecological Applications:
-
Molecular mechanisms underlying differences in susceptibilities of insect species to the effects of synthetic or natural poisons, amino acid receptors as models for selective taste and insecticide action, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and epoxide hydrolases as model detoxification enzymes degrading sensory chemicals at nerve receptor sites, peptide and protein taste receptors in beetles, development of novel biopesticides.
- Honey Bee and Pollinator Research:
-
As a toxicologist, Dr. Mullin looks for evidence that pesticides in bee pollen may be linked to CCD.
- Toxicology:
