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 | Biography |  |
Insect host-parasite-pathogen molecular interactions and insect immunity In my laboratory we are investigating evolutionary adaptations that are employed by parasites and pathogens of insects to avoid host immune defence reactions. This will further our understanding of the interactions but also lead us to the discovery of biogenic molecules with agrochemical and pharmaceutical properties with potential applications in biotechnology.
Most insect parasitoids use maternal protein secretions to manipulate host physiology, allowing the developing parasitoid to utilize the host as a food source. These maternal secretions are produced in various ovarian tissues, such as calyx tissues and accessory glands, such as venom glands. Interestingly, secretion fluids of certain parasitoids contain viruses called polydnaviruses or virus-like particles, which are produced inside ovarian cells and released into the oviduct to be injected into the host together with the egg. The primary function of polydnaviruses appears to be immunosuppression of the host encapsulation response.
Ascoviruses are another group of insect viruses transmitted by parasitoid wasps that cause a fatal disease in lepidopteran larvae.
My interests are to look at viruses and maternal secretions associated with parasitoid wasps to explore their function in host-parasitoid interactions and insect immunity.
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