Joffre Mercier

Joffre Mercier is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within the Faculty of Mathematics and Science at Brock University. His research focuses on understanding how hormones and neurotransmitters modulate animal behavior through actions on the central nervous system, neuromuscular junctions, and visceral organs. He employs invertebrate model systems such as crayfish, fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), and freshwater prawns to investigate these mechanisms at multiple levels, from whole-animal behavior to cellular and molecular processes.

His research interests center on neuroethology and the physiological basis of behavior, particularly how neuropeptides like proctolin and biogenic amines such as dopamine and octopamine influence synaptic transmission and muscle function. Using genetically tractable models like Drosophila, his lab explores the roles of specific genes and proteins in neural and muscular activity, combining electrophysiology, pharmacology, and behavioral assays. A key focus is on how neuropeptides act as co-transmitters to modulate glutamate-induced muscle contractions and how these modulatory effects translate into changes in locomotion and other behaviors.

The recent publication record shows a strong trend in invertebrate neurobiology, with emphasis on neuromodulation, synaptic plasticity, and the intersection of endocrinology with behavior. Work spans molecular mechanisms of peptide action, G-protein coupled receptor signaling, and the physiological roles of biogenic amines in both neural and reproductive systems. Studies frequently involve detailed physiological experimentation on model organisms, often with implications for broader principles in neuroscience and comparative physiology.

While no formal scientific awards are listed in the provided text, his research has been published in high-impact journals such as Journal of Neurophysiology, Journal of Experimental Biology, and PLoS One. He actively mentors students, as evidenced by numerous co-authored publications with graduate and undergraduate researchers. His lab engages in both basic research and pedagogical innovation, having developed laboratory exercises for student training in physiological experimentation. Current work continues to probe intracellular signaling pathways mediating the effects of neuropeptides and amines, with ongoing projects on proctolin’s role in larval crawling behavior and its dual function as hormone and co-transmitter.

Dr. Mercier’s laboratory functions as an integrative research team focused on cellular and systems-level neuroscience in invertebrates. The group utilizes a multidisciplinary approach combining genetics, physiology, and behavior to uncover fundamental mechanisms of neuromodulation. Though no formal lab name is provided, the research environment supports collaborative student-faculty projects and contributes to both scientific knowledge and educational advancement in biological sciences.