Molecular mechanism of plant-insect interaction

Increasing crop yields to ensure global food security is an important challenge in the scientific community. One of the primary reasons for yield loss is insect-herbivore damage. Plants learn to recognize when insects are attacking them and have evolved a complex array of chemical compounds (metabolites) to reduce damage and survive. Plants do so through processes which include the biosynthesis of toxic metabolites to deter herbivores, the release of “calling for help” molecules to attract predators, and even signals to other plants to “prepare for a herbivore attack.” A better understanding of the biological processes occurring in response to insect attack is critical for developing herbivore-resistant plants. Our long-term goal is to identify genes and molecular markers that are suitable for controlling agricultural pests and generating resistant plants. This knowledge is critical for uncovering the effects of multiple biotic and abiotic stresses on plants.

Equipment (significant):
GC-MS – Agilent 7890B and 7820A – liquid autosampler
GC-MS – Agilent 7890B – SPME and liquid autosampler
HUPLC – Dionex RSLC, 1034 bar
EPG- Giga 8dd 2018 series
Micro balance – Sartorius 0.00001 gr
PCR (96 well) – A24811 SimpliAmp Thermal Cycler (AB)
PCR (3 x 32 well) – Proflex
Growth Chamber – Conviron model A1000 ADAPTIS