Laurence Zwiebel

Stephen Ferguson, first-author of a new paper with his postdoctoral advisor, Laurence Zwiebel, along with two undergraduates associated with the lab, Isaac Bakis and Nicholas Edwards, confirmed the existence of a specialized soldier caste within an ant species. Read More

By reproducing conditions under which malaria occurs in nature, the Zwiebel Lab finds that the deadly pathogens responsible for human malaria provide a specific adaptive advantage to disease-transmitting mosquitoes, explaining the persistence of this ancient disease. Est. reading time: 2 mins. Read More

L.J. Zwiebel and his lab show that mosquito larvae, the age group targeted for most control programs, are far more sophisticated than previously thought. Est. reading time: 2 mins. Read More

In a new study, scientists at Vanderbilt report definitive evidence of a mechanism within ants that is responsible for unlocking aggression. The research—the first to pinpoint this mechanism and its precise role in ant biology—reports a social characteristic which could help account for their evolutionary success. Read More

A team of biologists report a major advance in deciphering the molecular genetics underlying the ant's high-definition sense of smell, an ability that underpins their highly complex society. Read More

A team of Vanderbilt biologists has found that the malaria mosquito has a second complete set of odor receptors that are specially tuned to human scents. Read More

Summer is here, and the United States is bracing for the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus. A Vanderbilt researcher is working on one way to stop the spread of the disease – by revving up the mosquito’s taste buds. Read More

In the latest VUCast: Learn about a mosquito-fighter stronger than any on the market; see the creative project for sick kids that sent a VU student to the White House; and do you recognize the faces in our #Vandygram mashup? Watch now! Read More

Vanderbilt biologist Laurence Zwiebel has received a Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Exploration grant to create a wrist-band device that devises a personal "no-fly zone" offering protection from mosquitoes. Read More

Vanderbilt biologists played an important supporting role in a major genetic study of malaria-carrying mosquitoes published this week in the journal "Science." Read More

Larry Zwiebel’s research, which is supported by an $11 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and more than $5 million in grant funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), focuses on preventing mosquitoes from feeding on humans. Read More

According to a 2013 survey of graduating seniors, more than half did faculty-guided or independent research during their Vanderbilt careers. Read about five students for whom research has helped shape their undergraduate years. Read More

See how a discovery about mosquito sperm could fight deadly disease; learn where to click for the coolest original music created by Vanderbilt students; and tour the newest evolution of College Halls. All this and more in the latest VUCast, Vanderbilt’s online newscast. Watch now. Read More

Vanderbilt biologists have discovered that mosquito sperm have a “sense of smell” and that some of same chemicals that the mosquito can smell cause the sperm to swim harder. Read More

It is peak mosquito season, and while some lucky outdoor venturers seem unperturbed by the tiny insects, others appear to be relentlessly assaulted. Laurence Zwiebel, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Biological Sciences, explains the most common culprits. Read More

Seven Vanderbilt University faculty members named to endowed chairs were honored for outstanding academic achievements March 19 during a celebration at the Student Life Center. Read More

Read about faculty, staff, student and alumni awards, appointments and achievements. Read More

After more than a decade spent successfully decoding the malaria mosquito’s sense of smell, the Zwiebel Lab has added ant olfaction to its research repertoire and has just received a major grant to pursue this new avenue for the next four years. Read More

Ants have four to five times more odor receptors than most other insects, a team of researchers have discovered. Read More

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a new insect repellent compound that may be thousands of times stronger than DEET, the active ingredient currently in common mosquito repellents. This new compound is the first of its kind in the world.  … Read More