Research interests
My main research interest is the behavioural mechanisms of olfactory communication, especially kin and individual recognition mechanisms in wild mice. Our group recently identified darcin, a male pheromone responsible for stimulating female memory and sexual attraction to an individual male's odour.
I am currently working on a project addressing the mechanisms underlying kin recognition, and the importance of kinship in cooperative breeding between females.
Education and career
- ONC Biological Sciences, Stow College, Glasgow (1989 - 1993)
- HNC Applied Biology, Bell College, Hamilton, (1993 -1995)
- CAT modules - Ecology, Energy & Plant Science and Vertebrate Physiology and Evolution, Paisley University (1995 -1996)
- Laboratory Technician , Vet Parasitology Dept, Glasgow University (1988 - 1998)
- Research Technician, Vet Clinical Science, University of Liverpool (1998 - 2003)
- Research Technician, Proteomics and Functional Genomics Group, University of Liverpool (2003 - 2008)
- Research Technician, Mammalian Behaviour & Evolution Group, University of Liverpool (2008 - present)
Publications
Roberts, S.A., Davidson, A.J., McLean, L., Beynon, R.J. & Hurst, J.L. (2012) Pheromonal induction of spatial learning in mice. Science 338: 1462-1465.
Beynon, R.J., Armstrong, S.D., Roberts, S.A., Davidson, A., Simpson, D.M., Turton, M.J., Unsworth, J. & Hurst, J.L. (in press) The application of proteomics to the discovery and quantification of proteins in scent signals. In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 12 (Eds. M.L. East & M. Dehnhard). Springer, New York.
Roberts, S.A., Simpson, D.M., Armstrong, S.D., Davidson, A.J., Robertson, D.H., McLean, L., Beynon, R.J. & Hurst, J.L. (2010) Darcin: a male pheromone that stimulates female memory and sexual attraction to an individual male's odour. BMC Biology 8: 75.
Hurst, J.L., Thom, M.D., Cheetham, S.A., Armstrong, S.D., Robertson, D.H., Davidson, A.J., Stockley, P. & Beynon, R.J. (2008) Scent signals of individual genetic identity used in mate choice. Chemical Senses 33, S173.
Davidson, A.J., Hodgkinson, J.E., Proudman, C.J. & Matthews, C.B. (2005) Cytokine responses to Cyathostominae larvae in the equine large intestinal wall. Research in Veterinary Science 78, 169-176.
Matthews, J.B., Davidson, A.J. & Beynon, R.J. (2004) The application of mass spectrometry to identify immunogenic components of excretory/secretory products from adult Dictyocaulus viviparus. Parasitology 128, S43-S47.
Lazari, O., Hussein, A.S., Selkirk, M.E., Davidson, A.J., Thompson, F.J. & Matthews, J.B. (2003) Cloning and expression of two secretory acetylcholinesterases from the bovine lungworm, Dictyocaulus viviparus. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 132, 83-92.
Matthews, J.B., Davidson, A.J., Freeman, K.L. & French, N.P. (2002) Letter to the editor. International Journal for Parasitology 32, 1321.
Davidson, A.J., Edwards, G.B., Proudman, C.J., Cripps, P.J. & Matthews, J.B. (2002) Cytokine mRNA expression pattern in horses with large intestinal disease. Research in Veterinary Science 72, 177-185.
Matthew, J.B., Davidson, A.J., Freeman, K.L. & French, N.P. (2001) Immunisation of cattle with recombinant acetylcholinesterase from Dictyocaulus viviparus and with adult worm ES products. International Journal for Parasitology 31, 307-317.
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