A5101460172- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Diptera species taxonomy and behavior
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Agricultural pest management studies
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Cancer Treatment and Pharmacology
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- bioluminescence and chemiluminescence research
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Breast Cancer Treatment Studies
- HER2/EGFR in Cancer Research
Wayne State University
2015-2024
University of Bayreuth
2023-2024
Western Kentucky University
2013-2016
Michigan United
2014
Universität Hamburg
2014
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
2000-2007
University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
2004-2006
University of Lübeck
2004-2006
California Institute of Technology
1997-2000
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
2000
Flies are one of four superradiations insects (along with beetles, wasps, and moths) that account for the majority animal life on Earth. Diptera includes species known their ubiquity ( Musca domestica house fly), role as pests Anopheles gambiae malaria mosquito), value model organisms across biological sciences Drosophila melanogaster ). A resolved phylogeny flies provides a framework genomic, developmental, evolutionary studies by facilitating comparisons organisms, yet recent research has...
The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum has emerged as an important model organism for the study of gene function in development and physiology, ecological evolutionary genomics, pest control a plethora other topics. RNA interference (RNAi), transgenesis genome editing are well established resources genome-wide RNAi screening have become available this model. All these techniques depend on high quality assembly precise models. However, first version was generated by Sanger sequencing, with...
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...
Abstract Background Grasshopper serves as important model system in neuroscience, development and evolution. Representatives of this primitive insect group are also highly relevant targets pest control efforts. Unfortunately, the lack genetics or gene specific molecular manipulation imposes major limitations to study grasshopper biology. Results We investigated whether juvenile instars species Schistocerca americana conducive silencing via systemic RNAi pathway. Injection dsRNA corresponding...
Light represents one of the most reliable environmental cues in biological world. In this review we focus on evolutionary consequences to changes organismal photic environments, with a specific class Insecta. Particular emphasis is placed transitional forms that can be used track evolution from (1) diurnal nocturnal (dim-light) or (2) surface subterranean (aphotic) as well (3) ecological encroachment anthropomorphic light habitats (artificial at night). We explore influence environment an...
Portions of the large ribosomal subunit RNA gene (28S rDNA) encompassing D1 and D7 region were obtained from 16 dipteran species families to reconstruct early phylogenetic events in order Diptera. For outgroup comparison, corresponding sequences used representative taxa Siphonaptera, Mecoptera, Lepidoptera. A subset 488 unambiguously alignable sites was analyzed with respect important sequence evolution parameters. We found (1) variability is significantly higher double-stranded than...
We have studied the potential reasons for a conspicuous deviation of substitution rates in Dipteran ribosomal genes. Systematic pairwise relative-rate tests reveal that significant increase rate is characteristic Diptera, but not other insects analyzed. Estimation sequence change specific lineages reveals most these substitutions took place during evolution stem lineage. When related to paleontologically documented periods absolute time, lineage Diptera underwent an at least 20-fold compared...
Abstract Background Recent genome sequence analysis in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum indicated that this highly crepuscular animal encodes only two single opsin paralogs: a UV-opsin and long wavelength (LW)-opsin; however, these animals do not encode blue (B)-opsin as most other insects. Here, we studied spatial regulation of LW- gene paralogs comparison to five retina Drosophila melanogaster . Results In situ hybridization reveals retina, contrast with insect retinas, constitutes...
SUMMARY Obligatory cave species exhibit dramatic trait modifications such as eye reduction, loss of pigmentation and an increase in touch receptors. As molecular studies adaptation have largely concentrated on vertebrate models, it is not yet possible to probe for genetic universalities underlying adaptation. We therefore begun study the strongly cave-adapted small carrion beetle Ptomaphagus hirtus. For over 100 years, this flightless signature inhabitant Mammoth Cave, world's largest known...
Abstract Background The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans , is a major blood-feeding pest of livestock that has near worldwide distribution, causing an annual cost over $2 billion for control and product loss in the USA alone. Control these flies been limited to increased sanitary management practices insecticide application suppressing larval stages. Few genetic molecular resources are available help developing novel methods controlling flies. Results This study examines fly biology by...
In the fruit fly Drosophila, patterning genes decapentaplegic and wingless contribute to spatial control of retina development in an antagonistic manner. We examined expression patterns these developing visual system hemimetabolous grasshopper Schistocerca americana primitive holometabolous beetle species Tribolium castaneum. The pattern was strongly conserved as a pair lateral domains at anterior margins both optic lobes. decapentaplegic, on other hand, is different. Unlike no detected...
The visual organs of insects are known for their impressive evolutionary conservation. Compound eyes built from ommatidia with four cone cells now accepted to date back the last common ancestor and crustaceans. In species as different fruit flies tadpole shrimps, stepwise cellular patterning steps early compound eye exhibit detailed similarities implying 500 million years developmental Strikingly, there is also a cryptic diversity insect organs, which gives proof evolution's versatility in...
ABSTRACT Functional studies of the methuselah/methuselah‐like ( mth / mthl ) gene family have focused on founding member , but little is known regarding developmental functions this receptor or any its paralogs. We undertook a comprehensive analysis expression and sequence divergence in family. Using situ hybridization techniques, we detect six genes mthl1 5 9 11 13 14 embryo during gastrulation development gut, heart, lymph glands. Four receptors mthl3 4 6 8 are expressed larval central...
A hallmark of visual rhabdomeric photoreceptors is the expression a opsin and uniquely associated phototransduction molecules, which are incorporated into specialized expanded apical membrane, rhabdomere. Given extensive utilization in eyes protostomes, here we address whether common transcriptional mechanism exists for differentiation photoreceptors. In Drosophila, transcription factors Pph13 Orthodenticle (Otd) direct both aspects differentiation: rhabdomere morphogenesis. We demonstrate...