Imagine hiking in the trailless wilderness of northern Sweden. You leave your tent to admire the scenery. After passing the first mossy hill you already lose sight of the tent. Most humans would be utterly lost within an hour of undirected travel. Yet, some animals, like bees and ants, can easily return to their nests in a straight line, even after navigating unknown, featureless terrain. How are these impressive behaviors neurally manifested in the tiny brains of insects?
The advertised Master’s projects will use behavioral experimentation and targeted neurotoxin ablations of specific brain regions to understand how bumblebees construct representations of space in their brains with which to navigate. Purely behavioral projects are also an option.
Required knowledge:
Background in neurobiology, sensory biology, and animal behavior are welcome but not required.
The project will require:
- handling live bumblebees for experimentation
- fine motor skills for microsurgeries on bumblebees -some wet lab skills (using pipettes)
In addition, students with a programming background are encouraged to apply if they are interested in helping to develop analysis scripts for behavioral experimental setups that they can use for their project.
Length of the project:
10 month theses for 60 credits are prioritized, but shorter theses may be organized as well, depending on the project.
Start date: Can be flexible, depending on length and goals of project. Spring 2026, Fall 2026, January 2027
Contact info: Rickesh Patel (rickesh.patel@biol.lu.se)
Please include a brief statement (a few sentences) about your background, interests, and motivation behind why you would like to be part of the project.
Thank you!