Ants Can Change Their Roles In Their Colony -- Study

Ants, much like humans, live in an environment where they have to play various specific roles in order to maintain organized in their living. However, a recent study revealed that by altering some of the genes in the ant's brain, they can exchange and do different roles in their colony.

A team of researchers from the NYU-Langone had published a study last Jan. 1 regarding the alteration of genes among carpenter ants in order for them to be able to change roles. In a colony, there are various types of ants that work together in order to make their living happen; the first one is the brawny type whose main job is to guard the colony, while the second type is the smaller ones that gather foods and supplies for them to consume.

The scientists then did their study by re-engineering the genes in the ant's brain through the use of various compounds that stopped the action group of enzymes, histone deacetylases (HDACs) activated genes.  By doing this, they were able to change the behavior of ants without having to rewrite the instruction encoded in their genes.

And as a result of that, they were able to make the ant guards and forages exchange position. The team of scientists found out that there is a group of certain compounds that can cause quite a reaction on a protein called 'histones.' This particular protein is connected to the DNA, and by rearranging its components, they were able to gain access on the ants' genes and change their behaviors.

According to Danny Reinberg, PhD, the Terry and Mel Karmazin Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at NYU Langone and a study co-author, the results are fascinating as they were able to show how behavior in animals can be manipulated through various compounds that can change the genes without having to alter the physical looks.

Shelley Berger, an epigeneticist at the University of Pennsylvania and one of the study authors, added that these are long-term and permanent changes that take place when different chemicals are injected into the ants' brains.