Ants are among the most socially sophisticated creatures on Earth, relying on intricate chemical communication to coordinate their colonies. At the University of Florida, Dr. Hua Yan, a professor of biology, is exploring the neural and genetic foundations of this behavior, uncovering how chemosensory development shapes social interactions. A valuable member of the Florida Chemical Senses Institute, his research bridges the worlds of neuroscience, genetics, and social behavior, offering profound insights into how sensory systems evolve to support complex societies.
Dr. Yan’s path to this research began with fruit flies. During his Ph.D., he studied tissue development in Drosophila, a widely used model organism in genetic research. But it was during his postdoctoral studies that ants captured his interest. “I was fascinated by the cooperative behavior of ants and decided to investigate the neuronal and molecular mechanisms of social behavior,” he explains. Unlike fruit flies, ants exhibit highly coordinated social interactions, making them an ideal subject for studying the neural and genetic foundations of cooperation. To unlock these secrets, Dr. Yan developed genetic tools specifically for ants, allowing him to investigate how their nervous systems evolve and adapt to their social environment.
One of his most impactful discoveries centers on how ants use chemosensory signals to navigate their intricate societies. Unlike non-social insects, ants possess an extraordinary number of odorant receptor genes—between 300 and 500, compared to fewer than 100 in fruit flies and many other insects. This genetic expansion enables ants to detect and interpret a vast array of chemical signals, essential for communication, foraging, and colony organization. Dr. Yan’s research revealed that the loss of Orco, the key odorant co-receptor, leads to apoptosis (cell death) in developing olfactory neurons—an effect unique to ants. “Ants take a different strategy to establish their olfactory system and express their large pool of odorant receptor genes,” he notes. This discovery suggests that social insects have evolved distinct mechanisms to build and maintain their sensory systems, ensuring they can process the complex chemical cues that govern their interactions.
His work with Harpegnathos saltator ants further highlights the link between olfactory function and social structure. In this species, worker ants can transition into reproductive individuals, known as gamergates, when a queen is lost. Dr. Yan and his team created orco mutant ants and found that without functional olfactory receptors, these ants lost the ability to shift into their reproductive role in the colony. This finding underscores the deep connection between sensory perception and behavioral plasticity, offering clues about how neural circuits adapt to social and environmental changes.
Beyond its implications for understanding ant societies, Dr. Yan’s research has broader applications. His work on odorant receptors could inform new strategies for pest control, potentially leading to species-specific attractants or repellents. Meanwhile, his investigations into the link between reproduction and longevity in ants may provide insights into aging. In many ant species, reproductive individuals live significantly longer than non-reproductive ones. By studying the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon, Dr. Yan hopes to uncover ways to promote healthy aging without disrupting other metabolic functions.
At UF, Dr. Yan benefits from the collaborative environment fostered by the FCSI. The institute has supported his work through funding opportunities, academic events, and research collaborations. His partnership with Drs. Adam Wong and Elizabeth Cash, for example, explore the role of the ant microbiome in chemosensation and social behavior. Additionally, FCSI’s NIH T32 fellowship helped his Ph.D. student, Kayli Sieber, publish groundbreaking research on chemosensory development, opening new avenues for future studies.
Read more about Kayli’s Research here: https://fcs.institute.ufl.edu/4128-2/
For students interested in this emerging field, Dr. Yan emphasizes the importance of persistence and interdisciplinary thinking. “Using genetic and genomic tools to study neural development, physiology, and behavior in eusocial insects is an emerging area,” he advises. “This highly interdisciplinary study provides big opportunities, but also with many challenges. Be persistent and open-minded.” His work at UF and within FCSI is not just advancing our understanding of ants—it’s shedding light on the intricate ways sensory systems shape the behavior of all social organisms, including humans.