EN/MB575 MOLECULAR ENTOMOLOGY

FALL 1995

Head Instructor: Dennis L. Knudson
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Twelve hours in biology, cell biology, genetics, or microbiology.

Grading: Term paper (in the form a of grant proposal) (25%), midterm examination (25%), and final examination (50%).

Purpose: Molecular entomology will introduce students to the application of molecular technologies and biotechnologies to traditional entomological topics.

Meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 2:10-3:25 P.M. in E-114 Plant Science Building

Recommended Text: Hoy, Marjorie A. 1994. Insect Molecular Genetics: An Introduction to Principles and Applications. Academic Press, New York, 546 pages.

Faculty:

Dr. Barry J. Beaty, Professor of Microbiology, B-442 Microbiology Building, 491-6794

Dr. Jonathan O. Carlson, Associate Professor of Microbiology, B-407 Microbiology Building, 491-7840

Dr. Carol Ishimaru, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology and Weed Science, C-205 Plant Science Building, 491-7726

Dr. Dennis L. Knudson, Professor of Entomology, C-127 Plant Science Building, 491-7255

Dr. Walter J. Tabachnick, Faculty Affiliate in Entomology, USDA/ARS, Arthropod-borne Animal Disease Research Laboratory, Laramie, WY 82071, (307) 766-3600

Dr. Thomas G. Wilson, Associate Professor of Biology, E-321 Anatomy/Zoology Building, 491-2542

SYLLABUS

INTRODUCTION TO THE EUKARYOTIC INVERTEBRATE GENOME

From genes to genomes: the emergence of genome studies

Historical background and medical importance of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae

Gene structure and expression

Pol II genes: proteins and small nuclear RNA
Pol I genes: ribosomal RNA
Pol III genes: 5S RNA, tRNA and small cytoplasmic RNA
Pseudogenes and processed genes

GENOME ORGANIZATION OF INSECTS

Cytogenetic organization

Genome size and other physical properties
Chromosomal organization
Sex
Chromosome evolution

Genetic elements and sequence level organization

Genes and other low copy sequences
Moderate to highly repetitive sequences
Highly repetitive elements

Genetic mapping

Morphological and resistance markers
Biochemical markers
Polymorphic DNA markers
Linkage disequilibrium
Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping
The Aedes aegypti linkage map
The Aedes gambiae linkage map

Physical mapping

Low resolution mapping
High resolution mapping
The Aedes aegypti physical map
The Aedes gambiae physical map
Transformation systems in mapping
Correlation of genetic and physical maps

MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS, EVOLUTION AND GENETICS OF INSECT POPULATIONS

Insect Molecular Systematics and Evolution

Taxonomy/Systematics
Evolution
Applications in integrated pest management (IPM)

Molecular Genetics

Molecular tools for examining populations structure
Case studies
Present and future applications

IMPROVING VIRULENCE OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS OF PEST INSECTS

Host-specificity and alternative host ranges
Strain selection
Genetic engineering of biological control agents
Applications in IPM

TRANSFECTION OF PLANTS WITH INSECTICIDAL GENES FOR CONTROL OF CROP PEST INSECTS

Vectors
Applications for plant improvement
Applications in IPM

MOLECULAR MECHANISMS FOR PESTICIDE RESISTANCE.

Review of literature
Molecular mechanisms
Applications in IPM

SEX DETERMINATION IN INSECTS

Molecular basis for sex in Drosophila melanogaster
General model for sex determination in insects?
Meiotic drive, cytoplasmic distorters, and hybrid sterility

INSECT VECTOR COMPETENCE OF PATHOGENS

Biology
Pathogen genetics
Vector genetics

DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY AND GENE MANIPULATION IN DROSOPHILA AND OTHER INSECTS

A guide to Drosophila development
Dissecting Development with Mutants
Other Insects

MOLECULAR GENETICS OF INSECT BEHAVIOR

Insect central nervous system
Analysis of behavior by traditional methods and molecular methods
Mapping genes of complex behavoirs

TRANSGENIC INSECTS

Transfomation methodologies
Transformation targets