A5034981032- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant and animal studies
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Corrosion Behavior and Inhibition
- Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
California Institute of Technology
2024
The University of Texas at Austin
2020-2022
Honey bees are essential pollinators threatened by colony losses linked to the spread of parasites and pathogens. Here, we report a new approach for manipulating bee gene expression protecting health. We engineered symbiotic gut bacterium, Snodgrassella alvi, induce eukaryotic RNA interference (RNAi) immune responses. show that S. alvi can stably recolonize produce double-stranded activate RNAi repress host expression, thereby altering physiology, behavior, growth. used this improve survival...
The gut microbiome plays a critical role in the health of many animals. Honeybees are no exception, as they host core that affects their nutrition and immune function. However, relationship between honeybee system its symbionts is poorly understood. Here, we explore how beneficial symbiont Snodgrassella alvi gene expression. We show both live heat-killed S. protect honeybees from opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens lead to expression antimicrobial peptides . Honeybee genes respond...
Abstract Bees are indispensable pollinators and model organisms for studying social behavior, development, cognition. However, their eusociality makes it difficult to use standard forward genetic approaches study gene function. To fill this gap, we engineered the bee gut bacterium Snodgrassella alvi induce a host RNA interference response that reduces expression of targeted gene. employ FUGUES ( FU nctional G enomics U sing E ngineered S ymbionts) procedure, double-stranded plasmid is cloned...
The proton-motive force (PMF), consisting of a pH gradient and membrane potential (ΔΨ) underpins many processes essential to bacterial growth and/or survival. Yet bacteria often enter bioenergetically diminished state characterized by low PMF. Consequently, they have increased tolerance for diverse stressors, including clinical antibiotics. Despite the ubiquity metabolic rates in environment, extent which agency over entry into such low-bioenergetic has received relatively little attention....