Iris Hardege

Iris Hardege is a researcher affiliated with the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge. As part of the Cambridge NERC Doctoral Landscape Awards (CREATES), she focuses on the molecular complexity of neurotransmission in invertebrates, particularly nematodes, and its evolutionary and ecological significance.

• Key Research Areas: Ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs), G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), sensory biology, parasite control, neurophysiology, and evolutionary adaptation.
• Methodologies: Genetics, electrophysiology, high-resolution imaging, behavioral analysis, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.

Her work explores how receptor diversity influences neural circuit function, behavioral plasticity, and environmental adaptation, with potential applications in developing novel anti-helminthics for agricultural parasites. Current projects aim to characterize novel amine-gated ion channels, investigate pharmacological evolution in nematode-specific receptors, and conduct comparative analyses of neurotransmitter systems across invertebrates.

Her recent publications highlight expertise in invertebrate neurobiology, ion channel characterization, and evolutionary studies across species like C. elegans and Octopus vulgaris. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams under the C-CLEAR DTP program, integrating bioinformatics and molecular techniques to uncover mechanisms of neural signaling.