Gary J. Blomquist, Ph. D.

Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Academic Unit: CABNR and SOM
Title: Professor and Chair
Professional degrees: Ph. D. Chemistry/Biochemistry, 1973, Montana State University
Research Area: Cell Biology, B. S. Chemistry, University Wisconsin, LaCrosse 1969

Contact Information

Mail Stop: 330
Phone: (775) 682-7335
Fax: (775) 784-1419
e-mail: garyb@cabnr.unr.edu

Research Interests

Research Interests (a short summary paragraph -250-300 words is recommended): My laboratory focuses our efforts on the biosynthesis and endocrine regulation of bark beetle pheromone production.  We use the tools of biochemistry and molecular biology to gain an understanding of how bark beetles produce their terpenoid pheromones which they use as aggregation pheromones to attack and kill pine trees.  In addition, our laboratory studies the biochemical processes of hydrocarbon formation in insects, chemicals essential for waterproofing insects and serving in chemical communication. 


Current Graduate Students:
Mory Aw
Nicole Abbott
Eric Chang
Other lab members: Sally Chiu


Selected Publications

G. M. Hall, C. Tittiger, G. Andrews, G. Mastick, M. Kuenzli, X. Luo, S.J. Seybold and G.J. Blomquist. Male pine engraver Beetles, Ips pini, synthesize the monoterpenoid pheromone ipsdienol de novo in midgut tissue. Naturwissenschaften 89:79-83 (2002).

J. R. Reed, D. Vanderwel, S. Choi, J. G. Pomonis, R. C. Reitz and G. J. Blomquist.  Unusual mechanism of hydrocarbon formation in the housefly: cytochrome P450 converts aldehyde to the sex pheromone component (Z)-9-tricosene and CO2.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:10,000-10,004 (1994).

G.J. Blomquist and R.G. Vogt, Editors, "Insect Pheromone Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”, Elsevier Academic Press, London 745 pages (2003).

R.W. Howard and G. J. Blomquist. Ecological, behavioral and biochemical aspects of insect hydrocarbons. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 371-393 (2005).

A.B. Gilg, J.C. Bearfield, C. Tittiger, W.H. Welch and G.J. Blomquist.  Isolation and functional expression of an animal geranyl diphosphate synthase and its role in bark beetle pheromone biosynthesis.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 102:9760-9765 (2005).