Julie VITTET

Currently pursuing a PhD under the supervision of Yaël Grosjean, my research focuses on the impact of olfactory perceptions on social interactions, particularly in Drosophila. Our team has shown that two short-chain fatty acids, propanoic acid and butyric acid, disrupt the reproductive behavior of two Drosophila species (D. melanogaster and D. suzukii, an insect pest) by inhibiting courtship and copulation. Furthermore, these odours, while anaesthetic to adults in high concentrations, are attractive to larvae. My research aims to identify the receptors involved, particularly in organs that have been under-explored in olfactory detection, to better understand their effects on the nervous system and behavior. To achieve this, I employ genetic tools, transcriptomic analysis, confocal imaging, and behavioral tests. In parallel, I also plan to investigate the impact of these odors on the behavior and health of two key pollinators, bees and bumblebees.

Olfaction, Neurobiology, Genetics, Evolution, Reproduction, Courtship, Drosophila, Crop protection, Ecosystem