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Project

Modulating host seeking behaviors in parasitic nematodes

Insect pests are major contributors to crop losses worldwide, and eliminating these subscribes the global goals to eradicate hunger. With increasing food demand and diverse issues with chemical pesticide use, interest in 'organic' alternatives for effective pest control keeps increasing.
In this context, the use of entomopathogenic nematodes - these parasitize insect hosts - has garnered attention, and several species, including Steinernema spp, are commercially available. However, their application is far from optimal and much remains to be learned about their host seeking strategies. Such knowledge would help focus efforts towards effective application, but research tools are lacking.
We here propose to build a platform suitable for high-throughput evaluation of host seeking behavior, providing automated image analysis for classification of interventions. We will then use this system to screen compound libraries for effects on S. carpocapsae, in addition to thousands of C. elegans mutants. The latter shares genetic and phoretic similarities with Steinernema. Superior genetic tools of C. elegans will serve to pinpoint relevant genetic mechanisms shared by many nematodes, at a speed otherwise impossible.
By combining engineering, bioinformatics and molecular genetics, we aim at developing the tools and providing comprehensive mechanistic knowledge of host seeking strategies in entomopathogenic nematodes, contributing to the optimisation of their use as biocontrol agents.

Date:1 Jan 2021 →  Today
Keywords:Insect pests, entomopathogenic nematodes, biocontrol agents
Disciplines:Other biotechnology, bio-engineering and biosystem engineering not elsewhere classified, Genetically modified animals, Biomedical image processing, Genetics, Behavioural biology