In my research I work on a broad array of projects that span analytical chemistry, entomology to neuroscience and neuroethology. My research interests concentrate on the analysis of neural circuits that underlie aggression in insects on circadian timing and on responses to environmental stress. During my studies I pay special attention to the roles of one of the most complex signaling molecule, the neuropeptides, and the still mostly elusive neuroactive molecules, the biogenic amines, in the control of behavior. My model systems are the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster because of the copious genetic toolbox and large background knowledge available for the study of its neuronal circuits. Furthermore, I work with larger, more long-lived, interesting pest-insects such as the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, because of its advantages for applications of bioanalytical techniques and behavioural studies. Currently, the physiological effects of novel peptides and biogenic amines at the cellular and network levels, especially in the context of circadian pacemaking are evaluated with Prof. Dr. Monika Stengl (University of Kassel).

My special strength lies in the development and implementing of novel sample preparation protocols and mass spectrometry (MS)-based strategies for small scaled sample volumes like minute quantities of neural tissues up to single cells to analyse neuropeptides and biogenic amines in combination with cell labelling tools, genetic techniques, cellular structure analysis, compound quantification and behavioural studies with the aim to gain new insights into the roles of peptide hormones and smaller neurotransmitters that they play in the plasticity of neural circuits and behaviour.

Fundings

• 2014-2018 DFG funded project (NE-911/3-1): Weiterentwicklung massenspektrometrischer Detektionsverfahren zur Analyse von Neurotransmittern/Neuromodulatoren aus idenifizierbaren Neuronen der Taufliege Drosophila melanogaster
• 2012-2018 Co-respondent for realization of research projects applied and funded by the “Großgeräteinitiative”: (DFG PR 766/10-1); project: High resolution Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS) of neuropeptides in dynamic systems
• 2010/2011 DAAD Postdoctoral Fellow (SN; D/09/51168) at Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 2004 Peter and Traudl Engelhorn Foundation; Visiting scientist at A&M University Texas (Prof. P. Pietrantonio), Laboratory for Biological Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry (Prof. W. K. Russell), Areawide Pest Management Research, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, USDA, TX (Dr. R. J. Nachman)

Awards

• 2012 Awarded for best publication in the Journal “Physiological Entomology“ in the time period 2011-2012 by the Royal Entomological Society (Co-autors: W. Hertel, M. Eckert)
• 2009 Awarded for best PhD thesis at the Biological Pharmacological Faculty at Friedrich-Schiller University Jena

Current research projects

• Mapping of the peptidergic system in Drosophila (own topics and in colloaboration with Dr. T. Riemensberger, Köln)
• Aggression in Drosophila melanogaster: Studying the role of octopamine and tyramin on single cell level by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
• Single cell omics: Strategy development and optimization of mass spectrometry-based tools for neuroscience research (neuropeptides and biogenic amines)
• Functional role of neuropeptides and biogenic amines in the circadian system of Rhyperopia maderea (Collaboration with Prof. M. Stengl, Kassel) and Drosophila melanogaster
• Structural and functional plasticity of neuropeptides in neuronal systems of orientation and navigation of the ants Cataclyphis noda (Collaboration with Prof. W. Rössler, Würzburg)
• Transcriptomics and Neuropeptidomics of different insects (Periplaneta americana, Rhyparobia maderae, Cataclyphis noda)

Career path

Publication List

Scientific articles

60. Neupert S, Schulze J, Werckenthin A, Derst C , Predel R, Stengl M. Transcriptomics and Neurochemistry of the circadian clock of an insect. (in preparation).

59. Habenstein J, Schmitt F, Ly A, Trede D, Wegener C, Predel R, Rössler W, Neupert S. Imaging mass spectrometry and identification of endogenous neuropeptides from the miniature brain of the thermophilic ant Cataglyphis noda. (in preparation).

58. Neupert S, Sturm S, Ragionieri L, Derst C, Predel R. Transcriptomic and Neuropeptidomic Analysis of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. (in preparation).

57. Stolz T, Diesner M, Hess M, Neupert S, Delgado E, Pflüger HJ, Schmidt J. (2019) Descending modulation of leg motor neuron activity in the stick insect. Journal of Neurophysiology (in revision).

56. Ly A, Lapo Ragionieri L, Liessem S, Becker M, Deininger S, Neupert S, Predel R. (2019) Enhanced Coverage of Insect Neuropeptides in Tissue Sections – An Optimized Mass Spectrometry Imaging Protocol. Analytical Chemistry. 91:1980-1988.

55. Liessem S, Ragionieri L, Neupert S, Büschges A, Predel R. (2018) Transcriptomic and Neuropeptidomic Analysis of the Stick Insect, Carausius morosus. Journal of Proteome Research. 17:2192-2204.

54. Diesner M, Neupert S. (2018) Quantification of biogenic amines from individual GFP-labelled Drosophila cells by direct MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry. 90:8035-8043.

53. Neupert S, Fusca D, Kloppenburg P, Predel R. (2018) Analysis of single neurons by perforated patch clamp recordings and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 9:2089-2096.

52. Diesner M, Predel R, Neupert, S. (2018) Neuropeptide mapping of DIMM dimmed cells of adult Drosophila brain. Journal of American Society of Mass Spectrometry. 29:890-902.

51. Schneider AC, Seichter H, Neupert S, Hochhaus AM , Smarandache-Wellmann CR. (2018) Profiling neurotransmitters in a crustacean neural circuit for locomotion. PLOS One. 13(5):e0197781. doi: 10.1371/journal. pone.0197781. eCollection 2018.

50. Predel R, Neupert S, Derst C, Reinhardt K, Wegener C. (2018) Neuropeptidomics of the bed bug Cimex lectularius. Journal of Proteome Research. 17:440-454.

49. Neupert S, Marciniak P, Köhler R, Nachman RJ, Suh CP, Predel R. (2017) Different processing of CAPA and pyrokinin precursors in the giant mealworm beetle Zophobas atratus (Tenebrionidae) and the boll weevil Anthonomus grandis grandis (Curculionidae). General Comperative Endocrinology. 6480: 30308-8.

48. Ragionieri L, Özbagci B, Neupert S, Salts Y, Davidovitch M, Altstein M, Predel R. (2017) Identification of mature peptides from pban and capa genes of the moths Heliothis peltigera and Spodoptera littoralis. Peptides. 94:1-9.

47. Redeker J, Bläser M, Neupert S, Predel R. (2017) Identification and distribution of products from novel tryptopyrokinin genes in the locust, Locusta migratoria. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 486:70-75.

46. Sturm S, Ramesh D, Brockmann A, Neupert S, Predel R. (2016) Agatoxin-like peptides in the neuroendocrine system of the honey bee and other insects. Journal of Proteomics. 132:77-84.

45. Arendt A, Neupert S, Schendzielorz J, Predel R, Stengl M. (2016) The neuropeptide SIFamide in the brain of three cockroach species. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 524:1337-60.

44. Gellerer A, Franke A, Neupert S, Predel R, Zhou X, Liu S, Reiher W, Wegener C, Homberg, U. (2015) Identification and Distribution of SIFamide in the Nervous System of the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 523:108-125.

43. Neupert S, Derst C, Sturm, S, Predel R. (2014) Identification of two capa cDNA transcripts and detailed peptidomic characterization of their peptide products in Periplaneta americana. EuPA Open Proteomics 3:195-205.

42. Choi MY, Köhler R, Vander Meer RK, Neupert S, Predel R. (2014) Identification and expression of capa gene in the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. PLoS One. 9:e94274.

41. Vogt MC, Paeger L, Hess S, Steculorum SM, Awazawa M, Hampel B, Neupert S, Nicholls HT, Mauer J, Hausen AC, Predel R, Kloppenburg P, Horvath TL, Brüning JC. (2014) Neonatal insulin action impairs hypothalamic neurocircuit formation in response to maternal high-fat feeding. Cell. 156:495-509.

40. Siju KP, Reifenrath A, Scheiblich H, Neupert S, Predel R, Hansson BS, Schachtner J, Ignell R. (2014) Neuropeptides in the antennal lobe of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 522:592-608.

39. Schulze J, Schendzielorz T, Neupert S, Predel R, Stengl M. (2013) Neuropeptidergic input pathways to the circadian pacemaker center of the Madeira cockroach analysed with an improved injection technique. European Journal of Neuroscience. 38:2842-2852.

38. Rahman MM, Neupert S, Predel R. (2013) Neuropeptidomics of the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) and related Diptera. Peptides. 41:31-37.

37. Predel R, Neupert S, Russell WK, Hauser F, Russell DH, Li A, Nachman RJ. (2013) CAPA-gene products in the haematophagous sandfly Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) - vector for leishmaniasis disease. Peptides. 41:2-7.

36. Hertel W, Neupert S, Eckert M. (2012) Proctolin in the antennal circulatory system of lower Neoptera – a comparative pharmacological and immunocytochemical study. Physiological Entomology. 37:160-170.

35. Neupert S, Rubakhin SS, Sweedler JV. (2012) Targeted single cell microchemical analysis: MS-based peptidomics of individual paraformaldehyde-fixed immunolabeled neurons. Chemical Biology. 19:1010-1019.

34. Schulze J, Neupert S, Schmidt L, Predel R, Homberg U, Stengl M. (2012) Myoinhibitory peptides in the brain of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae and colocalization with pigment-dispersing factor in circadian pacemaker cells. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 520:1078-97.

33. Predel R, Neupert S, Pohl H, Huetteroth W, Kahnt J, Waidelich D, Roth S. (2012) Peptidomics-based Phylogeny and Biogeography of Mantophasmatodea. Systematic Biology. 61:609-629.

32. Dircksen H, Neupert S, Predel R, Verleyen P, Huybrechts J, Strauss J, Hauser F, Stafflinger E, Schneider M, Pauwels K, Schoofs L, Grimmelikhuijzen CGP. (2011) Genomics, Transcriptomics, and Peptidomics of Daphnia pulex Neuropeptides and Protein Hormones. Journal of Proteome Research. 10:4478-504.

31. Strauß J, Zhang Q, Verleyen P, Huybrechts J, Neupert S, Predel R, Pauwels K, Dircksen H. (2011) Pigment-dispersing hormone in Daphnia brain and visual ganglia interneurons, one type homologous to insect clock neurons displaying circadian rhythmicity. Cell Molecular Life Science. 68:3403-23.

30. Neupert S, Fusca D, Schachtner J, Kloppenburg P, Predel R. (2012) Towards a Single-cell-based analysis of neuropeptide expression in Periplaneta americana antennal lobe neurons. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 520:694-716.

29. Te Brugge V, Paluzzi JP, Neupert S, Nachman RJ, Orchard I. (2010) Identification of kinin-related peptides in the disease vector; Rhodnius prolixus. Peptides. 32:469-74

28. Hauser F, Neupert S, Williamson M, Predel R, Tanaka Y, Grimmelikhuijzen CJ. (2010) Genomics and peptidomics of neuropeptides and protein hormones present in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Journal of Proteome Research. 10:5296-310.

27. Neupert S, Russell WK, Russell DH, Predel R. (2010) Two capa-genes are expressed in the neuroendocrine system of Rhodnius prolixus. Peptides. 3:408-11.

26. Nasonia Genome Sequencing Consortium (2010) Functional and evolutionary insights from the genomes of three parasitoid Nasonia species. Science. 327(5963):343-8. Erratum in: Science. (2010) 327(5973):1577.

25. Predel R, Neupert S, Garczynski SF, Crim JW, Brown MR, Russell WK, Kahnt J, Russell DH, Nachman RJ. (2009) Neuropeptidomics of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Journal of Proteome Research 9:2006-15.

24. Neupert S, Hütteroth W, Schachtner J, Predel R. (2009) Conservation of the function counts: Homologous neurons express sequence-related neuropeptides that originate from different genes. Journal of Neurochemistry. 111:757-765.

23. Neupert S, Russell WK, Predel R, Russell DH, Strey OF, Teel PD, Nachman RJ (2009) The neuropeptidomics of Ixodes scapularis synganglion. Journal of Proteomics. 72:1040-1045.

22. Neupert S, Schattschneider S, Predel R. (2009) Allatotropin in cockroaches: identification via mass spectrometric analysis of single identified neurons. Peptides. 30:489-494.

21. Neupert S, Russell WK, Russell DH, Lopez J, Predel R, Nachman RJ. (2009) Neuropeptides in Hemiptera: Identification of allatotropin and tachykinin-related peptides using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Peptides. 30:483-488.

20. Rahman MM, Fromm B, Neupert S, Kreusch S, Predel R. (2009) Extended FMRFamides in dipteran insects: Conservative expression in the neuroendocrine system is accompanied by rapid sequence evolution. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 162:52-58.

19. Li B, Predel R, Neupert S, Hauser F, Verleyen P, Cazzamali G, Williamson M, Schoofs L, Schachtner J, Grimmelikhuijzen C, Park Y. (2008) Genomics, Transcriptomics, Peptidomics, and Evolution of Neuropeptides and Protein hormones in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Genome Research. 18:113-122.

18. Hauser F, Cazzamali G, Williamson M, Park Y, Li B, Tanaka Y, Predel R, Neupert S, Schachtner J, Verleyen P, Grimmelikhuijzen CJ. (2008) A genome-wide inventory of neurohormone GPCRs in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Frontiers of Neuroendocrinology. 29:142-165.

17. Söhler S, Neupert S, Predel R, Stengl M. (2008) An examination of the role of FMRFamide-related peptides in the circadian clock of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. Cell and Tissue Research. 332:257-269.

16. Tribolium Genome Sequencing Consortium (2008) The genome of the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum. Nature. 452:949-955.

15. Predel R, Neupert S. (2007) Social behavior and the evolution of neuropeptide genes: lessons from the honeybee genome. BioEssays. 29:416-421.

14. Neupert S. (2007) Novel members of the AKH/RPCH peptide family: isolation of AKH from the corpora cardiaca of the two beetle species, Cheilomenes lunata and Coccinella septempunctata. Pesticides. 3-4:39-43.

13. Neupert S, Johard HAD, Nässel DR, Predel R. (2007): Single cell peptidomics of Drosophila melanogaster neurons identified by Gal4 driven fluorescence. Analytical Chemistry. 79:3690-3694. Erratum in: Analytical Chemistry (2012) 84:5164.

12. Neupert S, Gundel M. (2007) Mass spectrometric analysis of FMRFamide-like immunoreactive neurons in the prothoracic and subesophageal ganglion of Periplaneta americana. Peptides. 28:11-7.

11. Söhler S, Neupert S, Predel R, Nichols R, Stengl M. (2007) Localization of leucomyosuppressin in the brain and the circadian clock of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. Cell and Tissue Research. 328: 443-452.

10. Predel R, Neupert S, Russell WK, Scheibner O, Nachman RJ. (2007) Corazonin in insects. Peptides. 28:3-10.

9. Lämmel J, Neupert S, Predel R. (2007) Differentiation of cockroach taxa by peptide hormone mass fingerprints: Periplaneta Burmeister (Blattidae) and Lucihormetica Zompro & Fritzsche (Blaberidae). Cockroach Studies. 2:17-26.

8. Predel R, Eckert M, Pollák E, Molnár L, Scheibner O, Neupert S. (2007) Peptidomics of identified neurons demonstrates a highly differentiated expression pattern of FXPRLamides in the neuroendocrine system of an insect. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 500:498-512.

7. Predel R, Russell WK, Neupert S, Russell DH and Nachman RJ. (2006) Identification of the first neuropeptides from the CNS of Hemiptera: CAPA peptides of the Southern Green Stinkbug Nezara viridula (L.). Peptides. 27:2670-2677.

6. Neupert S. (2005) Mass spectrometric analysis of PDF (Pigment-dipersing factor) neurons of Periplaneta americana. Pesticides. 3:183-187.

5. Predel R, Roth S, Neupert S, Picker M. (2005) New insect order Mantophasmatodea: Species differentiation by mass fingerprints of peptide hormones? Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 43:149-156.

4. Neupert S, Predel R. (2005) Mass spectrometric analysis of single identified neurons of an insect. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 327:640-645.

3. Predel R, Neupert S, Roth S, Derst C, Nässel D. (2005) Tachykinin-related peptide pre-cursors in two cockroach species: molecular cloning and peptide expression. FEBS Journal. 272:3365-3375.

2. Neupert S, Predel R, Russell WK, Davies R, Pietrantonio PV, Nachman RJ. (2005) Iden-tification of tick periviscerokinin, the first neurohormone of Ixodidae: Single cell analysis by means of MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 338:1860-1864.

1. Predel R, Neupert S, Wicher D, Gundel M, Roth S, Derst C. (2004) Unique accumulation of neuropeptides in an insect: FMRFamide related peptides in the cockroach, Periplaneta americana. European Journal of Neuroscience. 20: 1499-1513.

Book chapter

4. Neupert S. (2018) Single cell peptidomics: Approach for peptide identification by N-terminal peptide derivatization. Lloyd Fricker and Michael Schrader [Ed.] Springer Protocols, USA “Peptidomics - Methods and Protocols”. Humana Press (ISBN 978-1-4939-7537-2).

3. Neupert S, Predel R. (2010). Peptidomics of single identified neurons. In: Soloviev M [Ed.] “Peptidomics protocols and methods handbook”, Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana Press (ISBN10: 1607615347), USA. Methods in Molecular Biology. 615:137-44.

2. Wegener C, Neupert S, Predel R. (2010) Direct MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric peptide profiling in neuroendocrine tissue of Drosophila. In: Soloviev M [Ed.] “Peptidomics protocols and methods handbook”, Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana Press (ISBN10: 1607615347), USA. Methods in Molecular Biology. 615:117-27.

1. Schachtner J, Wegener C, Neupert S, Predel R. (2010) Direct peptide profiling of brain tissue by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. In: Soloviev M [Ed.] “Peptidomics protocols and methods handbook”, Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana Press (ISBN10: 1607615347), USA. Methods in Molecular Biology. 615:129-35.

Selected scientific talks at national and international conferences

16. Neupert S. Quantification of neuromodulators from single Drosophila cells, ANN meeting, Kiel, 2016

15. Neupert S. Quantification of neurotransmitter from individual Drosophila cells, DZG meeting, Graz, 2015.

14. Neupert S. Profiling of biomolecules from single Drosophila cell, Bagan, Myanmar, Februar 15.-19, 2015

13. Neupert S. Single cell profiling based on ´omics` technologies and perforated patch recordings, International Neuropeptide Conference 2013. Kabri, Thailand, 2014

12. Neupert S, Wegener C, Schachtner J, Predel R. Single CELL Application System. Seminar: Entwicklung und Plastizität des Insektennervensystems. 2009.

11. Neupert S. Distribution of neuropeptides in the stomatogastric nervous system of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.). International Neuropeptide Conference Khajuarho, India, 2009

10. Neupert S, Predel R. Mass spectrometric analysis of neuropeptide-synthesizing neurons in the CNS of insects. ICE – International Conference of Entomology, Durban, South Afrika, 2008

9. Neupert S, Huetteroth W, Schachtner J, Predel R. Single cell peptidomics of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (pban)-expressing neurons of Manduca sexta. ICE – International Conference of Entomology, Durban, South Afrika, 2008

8. Neupert S, Huetteroth W, Schachtner J, Predel R. Single cell peptidomics of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (pban)-expressing neurons of Manduca sexta. International Neuropeptide Conference, Panama City, Panama, 2008.

7. Neupert S, Predel R. Peptidomics einzelner identifizierter Neurone des ZNS. Seminar: Entwicklung und Plastizität des Insektennervensystems. 2007.

6. Neupert S, Johard HAD, Nässel DR, Predel R_. Single cell peptidomics of Drosophila melanogaster hugin-expressing neurons identified by gal4-driven fluorescence. VI-th International Conference on Arthropods. Chemical, physiological and environmental aspects. Białka Tatrzanska near Zakopane, Poland, 2007.

5. Neupert S, Predel R. Chatroom of neuropeptides. International Neuropeptide Conference, Guanajuato, Mexico, 2006

4. Neupert S, Predel R. Massenspektrometrie in der Neurowissenschaft: Analyse peptiderger Neuronen. ProNet Seminar, Hans-Knöll Institut HKI, Jena. 2005.

3. Neupert S, Predel R. Mass spectrometric analysis of neurosecretory cells in the suboesophageal ganglion of Periplaneta americana L. V-th International Conference on Arthropods. Chemical, physiological and environmental aspects. Białka Tatrzanska near Zakopane, Poland, 2005.

2. Neupert S, Predel R. Massenspektrometrisches Screening von Neuropeptiden im ZNS von Insekten. Seminar: Entwicklung und Plastizität des Insektennervensystems. Rauischholzhausen, Deutschland, 2005

1. Neupert S, Predel R. Mass spectrometry of single cells of the insect nervous system. International Neuropeptide Conference, Huatulco, Mexico, 2004

Invited talks at national and international conferences and seminars

5. Neupert S. Profiling of biomolecules in insects. gast speaker seminar (invited by Prof. W. Rössler) University of Würzburg, 2019

4. Neupert, S. Neuropeptidomics on single cell level, ASMS Sanibel Conference, Florida, USA (invited by Prof. Dr. Jonathan Sweedler, Prof. Dr. Lingjun Li, Prof. Dr. Per Andren), 2017

3. Neupert, S. Profiling of neuromodulator on single cell level; NCBS, Bangalor, Indien, gast speaker seminar (invited by Prof. Dr. Axel Brockmann), 2014

2. Neupert S. Funktionelle Peptidomics – Charakterisierung von Biomolekülen aus einzelnen Neuronen, Institutsseminar Abteilung Tierphysiologie Kassel (invited by Prof. Dr. M. Stengl), 2012

1. Neupert S. Neuropeptidomics in insects. Institutsseminar, Universität Konstanz. (invited by Dr. Sabine Kreissl), 2009