Douglas works on understanding one of the most ancient forms of communication, chemical communication. To begin to understand this complex system of signaling, he is investigating sex-specific differences in olfaction using the nematode, C. elegans. He is interested in understanding how males locate hermaphrodites to ensure mating and the passing on of their genetic material. Through this work he is striving to decipher the neural circuit of this attraction, specifically the circuit mediated by the pheromone, ascaroside #8, using both genetic and physiological studies. In conjunction with neural imaging studies, he is investigating the evolutionary role of mating cue signaling and aims to eventually lead into studies including multiple nematode species.
