Christopher Childers
A5101958950- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Plant and animal studies
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Research on scale insects
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Agricultural pest management studies
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Plant and fungal interactions
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
National Agricultural Library
2014-2023
Agricultural Research Service
2016-2023
U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory
2017-2019
United States Department of Agriculture
2018-2019
Georgetown University
2009-2015
University of Missouri
2013-2014
Texas A&M University
2005-2010
To understand the biology and evolution of ruminants, cattle genome was sequenced to about sevenfold coverage. The contains a minimum 22,000 genes, with core set 14,345 orthologs shared among seven mammalian species which 1217 are absent or undetected in noneutherian (marsupial monotreme) genomes. Cattle-specific evolutionary breakpoint regions chromosomes have higher density segmental duplications, enrichment repetitive elements, species-specific variations genes associated lactation immune...
Parasitoid Wasp Genomes wasps, which prey on and reproduce in host insect species, play important roles plant herbivore interactions, may provide valuable tools the biological control of pest species. The Nasonia Genome Working Group (p. 343 ; see news story by Pennisi ) presents genome three very closely related species: vitripennis, N. giraulti , longicornis . findings document rapid evolution between a endosymbiont that can cause nuclear-cytoplasmic incompatibilities affect speciation.
The first generation of genome sequence assemblies and annotations have had a significant impact upon our understanding the biology sequenced species, phylogenetic relationships among study populations within across informed humans. As only few Metazoan genomes are approaching finished quality (human, mouse, fly worm), there is room for improvement most assemblies. honey bee (Apis mellifera) genome, published in 2006, was noted its bimodal GC content distribution that affected assembly some...
Although eusociality evolved independently within several orders of insects, research into the molecular underpinnings transition towards social complexity has been confined primarily to Hymenoptera (for example, ants and bees). Here we sequence genome stage-specific transcriptomes dampwood termite Zootermopsis nevadensis (Blattodea) compare them with similar data for eusocial Hymenoptera, better identify commonalities differences in achieving this significant transition. We show an...
Abstract Web Apollo is the first instantaneous, collaborative genomic annotation editor available on web. One of natural consequences following from current advances in sequencing technology that there are more and researchers new genomes. These require tools to describe functional features their newly sequenced With can use any common browsers (for example, Chrome or Firefox) jointly analyze precisely a genome real time, whether they same room working opposite sides world.
Relatively little is known about the genomic basis and evolution of wood-feeding in beetles. We undertook genome sequencing annotation, gene expression assays, studies plant cell wall degrading enzymes, other functional comparative Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, a globally significant invasive species capable inflicting severe feeding damage on many important tree species. Complementary genes encoding enzymes involved digestion woody tissues or detoxification...
Abstract Around 150 million years ago, eusocial termites evolved from within the cockroaches, 50 before Hymenoptera, such as bees and ants, appeared. Here, we report 2-Gb genome of German cockroach, Blattella germanica , 1.3-Gb drywood termite Cryptotermes secundus . We show evolutionary signatures eusociality by comparing genomes transcriptomes three cockroach against background 16 other non-eusocial insects. Dramatic adaptive changes in genes underlying production perception pheromones...
Genomes of eusocial insects code for dramatic examples phenotypic plasticity and social organization. We compared the genomes seven ants, honeybee, various solitary to examine whether lineages share distinct features genomic Each ant lineage contains ∼4000 novel genes, but only 64 these genes are conserved among all ants. Many gene families have been expanded in notably those involved chemical communication (e.g., desaturases odorant receptors). Alignment revealed reduced purifying selection...
The Colorado potato beetle is one of the most challenging agricultural pests to manage. It has shown a spectacular ability adapt variety solanaceaeous plants and variable climates during its global invasion, and, notably, rapidly evolve insecticide resistance. To examine evidence rapid evolutionary change, understand genetic basis herbivory resistance, we tested for structural functional genomic changes relative other arthropod species using genome sequencing, transcriptomics, community...
Abstract Background Arthropods comprise the largest and most diverse phylum on Earth play vital roles in nearly every ecosystem. Their diversity stems part from variations a conserved body plan, resulting recorded adaptive changes genome. Dissection of genomic record sequence change enables broad questions regarding genome evolution to be addressed, even across hyper-diverse taxa within arthropods. Results Using 76 whole sequences representing 21 orders spanning more than 500 million years...
Abstract The bed bug, Cimex lectularius , has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during past two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce in addition widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses C. sequenced genome (650 Mb) 14,220 predicted protein-coding genes provide comprehensive representation that are traumatic insemination, reduced chemosensory repertoire related obligate...
The 5000 arthropod genomes initiative (i5k) has tasked itself with coordinating the sequencing of insect or related genomes. resulting influx data, mostly from small research groups communities little bioinformatics experience, will require visualization, dissemination and curation, preferably a centralized platform. National Agricultural Library (NAL) implemented i5k Workspace@NAL (http://i5k.nal.usda.gov/) to help meet initiative's genome hosting needs. Any member is encouraged contact...
The Hymenoptera Genome Database (HGD) is a comprehensive model organism database that caters to the needs of scientists working on insect species order Hymenoptera. This system implements open-source software and relational databases providing access curated data contributed by an extensive, active research community. HGD contains from 9 different across ∼200 million years in phylogeny Hymenoptera, allowing researchers leverage genetic, genome sequence gene expression data, as well...
The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, is a major destructive insect pest due to its broad host range, which includes hundreds of fruits and vegetables. It exhibits unique ability invade adapt ecological niches throughout tropical subtropical regions the world, though medfly infestations have been prevented controlled by sterile technique (SIT) as part integrated management programs (IPMs). genetic analysis manipulation has subject intensive study in an effort improve SIT...
Abstract Background The Hemiptera (aphids, cicadas, and true bugs) are a key insect order, with high diversity for feeding ecology excellent experimental tractability molecular genetics. Building upon recent sequencing of hemipteran pests such as phloem-feeding aphids blood-feeding bed bugs, we present the genome sequence comparative analyses centered on milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus , seed feeder family Lygaeidae. Results 926-Mb is well represented by current assembly official gene set....
Hyalella azteca is a cryptic species complex of epibenthic amphipods interest to ecotoxicology and evolutionary biology. It the primary crustacean used in North America for sediment toxicity testing an emerging model molecular ecotoxicology. To provide resources quality assessments studies, we sequenced, assembled, annotated genome H. U.S. Lab Strain. The completeness comparable with other ecotoxicological species. Through targeted investigation use gene expression data sets exposed...
Abstract Background Halyomorpha halys (Stål), the brown marmorated stink bug, is a highly invasive insect species due in part to its exceptionally high levels of polyphagy. This also nuisance overwintering human-made structures. It has caused significant agricultural losses recent years along Atlantic seaboard North America and continental Europe. Genomic resources will assist with determining molecular basis for this species’ feeding habitat traits, defining potential targets pest...
Abstract Background The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is a globally invasive pest and plant virus vector on wide array of food, fiber, ornamental crops. underlying genetic mechanisms the processes governing thrips biology, feeding behaviors, ecology, insecticide resistance are largely unknown. To address this gap, we present F. draft genome assembly official gene set. Results We report first sequence for any member insect order Thysanoptera. Benchmarking...
https://citrusgreening.org/.
The phylum Arthropoda includes species crucial for ecosystem stability, soil health, crop production, and others that present obstacles to animal agriculture. United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service initiated the Ag100Pest Initiative generate reference genome assemblies arthropods are (or may become) pests agricultural production global food security. We describe project goals, process, status, future. first three years were focused on selection, specimen...
Having conquered water surfaces worldwide, the semi-aquatic bugs occupy ponds, streams, lakes, mangroves, and even open oceans. The diversity of this group has inspired a range scientific studies from ecology evolution to developmental genetics hydrodynamics fluid locomotion. However, lack representative strider genome hinders our ability more thoroughly investigate molecular mechanisms underlying processes adaptation diversification within group. Here we report sequencing manual annotation...
The Bovine Genome Database (BGD; http://BovineGenome.org) strives to improve annotation of the bovine genome and integrate sequence with other genomics data. BGD includes GBrowse browsers, Apollo Annotation Editor, a quantitative trait loci (QTL) viewer, BLAST databases gene pages. available for both scaffold chromosome coordinate systems, display Official Gene Set (OGS), RefSeq Ensembl models, non-coding RNA, repeats, pseudogenes, single-nucleotide polymorphism, markers, QTL alignments...