1. Specific pheromone chemosignals that generate stereotypic behavior
Synthetic, emotion-generating pheromones provide an experimentally simple means to activate, identify and study currently unknown subsets of relevant neurons. We aimed to isolate several ligands that trigger negative valence behavior such as rage and fear, as well as several ligands that trigger positive valence behavior such as infant bonding and male/female attraction. To isolate pheromones, we start with robust behavior and evaluate fractions of native secretions to identify the bioactive molecule. Therefore, we not only discovered the elusive ligands, but also immediately knew their function. We have repeated this approach and have deliberately discovered 11 ligands that stimulate aggression, attraction, and defensive behavior (eliciting both positive and negative motivation).