Scott Kavanaugh - PhD Student

University of New Hampshire
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Rudman Hall Rm 322
46 College Rd
Durham, NH 03824

(phone) 603-862-0044
(fax) 603-862-4013
sik@cisunix.unh.edu

Research Area

Neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction

Research Emphasis

The focus of my research is the regulatory neurohormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its role in the reproduction. GnRH, a neuropeptide is essential for regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. I work on elucidating the forms and function of GnRH in the Atlantic hagfish, Myxine glutinosa. To say this animal is interesting is an understatement. Hagfish and lampreys are unique among living craniates because they are Agnathans (without jaws). Having evolved over 550 million years ago they are the only known extant representatives of the most ancient class of vertebrates, the Agnathans making them an important taxonomic group for comparative endocrine investigations.