Background

Erika Wallin got her MSc in chemistry from Umeå University in 2008 and got accepted as a Ph.D-student at Mid Sweden University in January 2009.

Current research

Her research is based on the identification and synthesis of possible insect pheromones.
She has been working with Orchid bees of the Euglossa genus in Central America. These orchid bees have pouches on the hind legs in which they collect plant volatiles. We identified (6R,10R)-6,10,14-trimethyl pentadekan-2-one as one component and it was synthesized and evaluated in biological assays, this work was published in collaboration with Thomas Eltz in 2010. We are currently continuing the investigation of the pouch content in order to find out if there are any other interesting compounds present.
The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) and the tropical bed bug (Cimex hemipterus) are spreading around the world and are known to create discomfort for humans. In 2011 we published the identification of two nymph specific specific compounds, 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal and 4-oxo-(E)-2-octenal, and their biological activity were evaluated. As a continuation of this project have we been collaborating with a dog trainer to teach the dogs to find bed bugs. Both synthetic blends of bed bug smell and living bed bugs have been used for practice and at the moment they are practicing in everyday situations.
The African butterfly, Bicyclus anyana, is a model organism which is relatively easy to work with. The Genus Bicyclys consists of about 80 different species living in the sub-Saharan region in Africa. It has been known that the male sexual pheromone consists of a three mix blend where 6,10,14-trimethyl pentadecan-2-ol is one of the components. This compound has 3 chiral centras and is therefore synthetically challenging to produce. By starting from stereoisomerically pure phytol we were able to produce the R,R,R-stereoisomer of very high purity and we identified this isomer as the active one and the results were published in 2012.
At the moment she is working with the identification of compounds found in Australian thrips species in collaborations with Olle Anderbrant and Monica De Facci at Lund University. Thips is a crop pest and destroy crops of great economical value each year. She is also identifying compounds that fruit flies are attracted to in collaboration with Peter Witzgall at SLU Alnarp.

Publications

Articles in journals Doctoral theses, comprehensive summaries

Articles in journals

Wallin, E. , De Facci, M. , Anderbrant, O. & Hedenström, E. (2014). (Z)-3-Dodecenoic Acid Is the Main Component of Full-Body n-Hexane Extracts from Two Acacia Gall-Inducing Thrips (Thysanoptera) and May Function as an Alarm Pheromone. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C - A Journal of Biosciences, vol. 69C: 7-8, pp. 335-345.

Nieberding, C. M. , Fischer, K. , Saastamoinen, M. , Allen, C. E. , Wallin, E. A. , Hedenström, E. & Brakefield, P. M. (2012). Cracking the olfactory code of a butterfly : the scent of ageing.. Ecology Letters, vol. 15: 5, pp. 415-424.

Liedtke, H. C. , Åbjörnsson, K. , Harraca, V. , Knudsen, J. , Wallin, E. , Hedenström, E. & Ryne, C. (2011). Alarm pheromones and chemical communication in nymphs of the tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). PLoS ONE, vol. 6: 3, pp. e18156

Eltz, T. , Hedenström, E. , Bång, J. , Wallin, E. A. & Andersson, J. (2010). (6R,10R)-6,10,14-Trimethylpentadecan-2-one, a Dominant and Behaviorally Active Component in Male Orchid Bee Fragrances. Journal of Chemical Ecology, vol. 36: 12, pp. 1322-1326.

Hedenström, E. , Wallin, E. , Andersson, J. , Bång, J. , Wang, H. , Löfstedt, C. , Brattström, O. & Baquet, P. (). Stereoisomeric Analysis of 6,10,14-Trimethylpentadecan-2-ol and the Corresponding Ketone in Wing Extracts from African Bicyclus Butterfly Species. Journal of Chemical Ecology,

Doctoral theses, comprehensive summaries

Wallin, E. (2014). The Scents of Nature : Identification and Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds Used in Insect Communication. Dis. (Comprehensive summary) Sundsvall : Mittuniversitetet, 2014 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis : 200)