Chemical Ecology: Decoding nature’s chemistry for sustainable solutions

At RESOLUTION Lab, Chemical Ecology is a core pillar of our research in understanding how chemical signals, the invisible language of nature, mediate interactions within trophic webs, among organisms and between organisms and their environment.

Chemical ecology is a vast and interdisciplinary field of research that integrates knowledge and methods from biochemistry, biology, ecology, entomology, genetics, metabolomics and organic and analytical chemistry to explain observed ecological interactions of living organisms and their environment through chemical compounds.

We combine advanced analytical chemistry, ecology, and behavioral biology to reveal the roles that chemicals play in nature (e.g. semiochemicals).

What we study

Semiochemicals: Detection, Identification and analysis of pheromones, kairomones, allelochemicals released by an organism that affect the behavior or physiology of another organism and regulate interactions between them. These ecologically friendly compounds are increasingly used in the optimizing biocontrol strategies and in pest management for monitoring, disruption, and control of insect pests.

Chemical Communication in Ecosystems: Decoding how plants, insects and microbes exchange chemical signals, and how those signals affect behavior, population dynamics, ecological balance, and co-evolution.

How we do it

Using advanced Analytical Techniques such as chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-EAD/FID GC/MS, GCxGC, HPLC, headspace sampling, etc.) to detect and identify chemicals in biological complex matrices with high resolution and sensitivity.

Trough Behavioral Assays: Testing the behavioral responses of organisms (insects, plants) to chemical cues; evaluating its effects.

By using behavioral screening tools such as EAG (Electroantennography) and GC-EAD (Gas Chromatography-Electroantennographic Detection), an electrophysiological method to measure an insect’s overall antennal response to biologically active compounds. EAG establishes dose-response relationships, GC-EAD separates, detects and identifies chemicals that cause antennal responses, which roles are then confirmed with further behavioral experiments conducted in olfactometer.

Why Chemical Ecology matters

It helps us understand how chemicals shape ecosystems and how ecosystems function, maintain balance, and respond to environmental changes.

It connects fundamental science with practical solutions by enabling the development of sustainable, greener, low‐impact strategies for pest control, reducing reliance on pesticides, protecting biodiversity and design sustainable solutions for a healthier environment and regulatory alignment.

Last achievements

Identification of key chemical cues, pheromones, and host-plant volatiles driving behavior in the eucalyptus weevil (Gonipterus platensis) and its egg parasitoid (Anaphes nitens).

Understanding how drought increases Norway spruce vulnerability to bark beetles (Ips typographus) and associated fungi.