Research Project: Experimental studies on the effect of antibiotics on the early development of Cicadellidae
Abstract
Description
Antibiotics are substances commonly used against bacterial infections. There is increasing concern about the effects of antibiotics on the environment. The development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria can disturb bacterial ecosystems and lead to serious health threats to humans. Moreover, the loss or imbalance of microbiota, called dysbiosis, causes several disorders in humans. Although a lot is known about the mode of action of antibiotics and their effect on population growth of the microbes within the organisms and within the environment, the effect of endosymbiont-loss on the developmental and organismal processes remain largely unknown. To address this we propose to study the insects of the family of Cicadellidae, commonly calledleafhoppers. These insects associate with two types of obligate bacterial endosymbionts. Previous studies have shown that loss of endosymbionts in leafhoppers causes patterning defects leading to posterior truncation of the embryo. We hypothesize that the endosymbionts in these insects interact with genes that have a role in development so that eggs from leafhoppers treated with antibiotics cannot develop properly. To test this hypothesis we aim to measure the effect of loss of endosymbionts on the expression of developmental genes that are involved in posterior formation. The research will help us to understand the effect of dysbiosis on gene regulatory network in Cicadellidae and offers new possiblitities to understand similar conditions in humans. Because antibiotics pose a major threat to the environment, this project has implications on environmental conservation and in search for eco-friendly pest and infectious disease vector management strategies.
Keywords
Sağlık Bilimleri, Veteriner Bilimleri, Tarımsal Bilimler, Ziraat, Yaşam Bilimleri, Temel Bilimler, Health Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Agriculture, Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Tarım ve Çevre Bilimleri (AGE), Klinik Tıp (MED), Temel Bilimler (SCI), Yaşam Bilimleri (LIFE), Bitki ve Hayvan Bilimleri, Tarım Bilimleri, Doğa Bilimleri Genel, VETERİNERLİK BİLİMLERİ, ÇOK DİSİPLİNLİ BİLİMLER, Agriculture & Environment Sciences (AGE), Clinical Medicine (MED), Natural Sciences (SCI), Life Sciences (LIFE), PLANT & ANIMAL SCIENCE, AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, NATURAL SCIENCES, GENERAL, VETERINARY SCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES, Multidisciplinary, Veterinary (miscellaneous), General Veterinary, Equine