# 🐜 The MutAnts are here

**Daniel A. Friedman, Deborah M. Gordon, Liqun Luo** (2017) · *Cell*

[![DOI](https://img.shields.io/badge/DOI-10.1016%2Fj.cell.2017.07.046-blue)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2017.07.046)

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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ScholarlyArticle","headline":"MutAnts","abstract":"The development of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout in two ant species opens a new window into exploring how social insects use olfactory cues to organize their collective behavior. In this issue of Cell, Trible et al. (2017) and Yan et al. (2017) advance the field of ant genetics by performing CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the Orco olfactory co-receptor gene in two ant species separated by 100+ million years of evolution: the clonal raider ant (Ooceraea biroi) and Jerdon's jumping ant (Har","keywords":["CRISPR/Cas9","Orco gene","olfactory receptor","ant genetics","Ooceraea biroi","Harpegnathos saltator","social behavior","pheromone","gene knockout"],"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Daniel Ari Friedman","url":"https://danielarifriedman.com/"}}
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## Abstract

> This paper discusses the successful application of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout in two ant species, enabling new insights into the role of olfactory cues in their collective behavior. The findings highlight the genetic and neuroanatomical implications of disrupting the Orco gene, which is crucial for olfactory perception in ants.

## Keywords

`CRISPR/Cas9` · `Orco gene` · `olfactory receptor` · `ant genetics` · `Ooceraea biroi` · `Harpegnathos saltator` · `social behavior` · `pheromone` · `gene knockout`

## Key Contributions

- Demonstrated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout in two ant species, advancing ant genetics.
- Provided evidence for the central role of the Orco gene in olfactory perception and collective behavior in ants.
- Revealed neuroanatomical defects in the antennal lobe of Orco mutants, suggesting a novel developmental role for Orco.
- Facilitated the understanding of the genetic basis of social insect behavior and adaptation.

## Methods

- Injected freshly-laid ant eggs with purified Cas9 protein and synthetic guide RNAs targeting the Orco gene.
- Conducted behavioral assays to assess the impact of Orco knockout on ant behavior and reproductive performance.
- Utilized olfactory assays to evaluate sensitivity to semiochemicals in Orco null mutants.
- Analyzed neuroanatomical structures in mutant ants to identify defects in the antennal lobe.

## 🎯 Consulting & Tutoring

**Available for AI Research Consulting and Tutoring.** [Contact Daniel Ari Friedman, PhD](https://danielarifriedman.com/) for collaboration on Active Inference, Bayesian modeling, and computational biology.

## Citation

```bibtex
@article{2017_MutAnts,
  author = {Daniel A. Friedman, Deborah M. Gordon, Liqun Luo},
  title = {{The MutAnts are here}},
  journal = {Cell},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2017.07.046},
}
```

## File Inventory

- `AGENTS.md` (1,851 bytes)
- `2017_MutAnts.pdf` (304,596 bytes)
- `README.md` (2,075 bytes)
- `SKILL.md` (1,851 bytes)