Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Recent advances in RNA sequencing at the single-cell level allow profiling of gene expression of
individual cells to identify and determine distinct effects of varying conditions on different cell
types in complex tissues. The central nervous system (CNS) is a complex organ containing many
cell types with unique gene expression profiles and functions. Because many insecticides target
the nervous system, this project will focus on transcriptional profiling of the cells of pest insect
CNS. The single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) approach will be used to identify neuronal stem
cells, progenitors and different neuron types. Identifying differentially expressed genes in these
cell types may be used to discover potential gene targets and develop insecticides, as well as
manage resistance development by target pests. Single cell RNA sequencing of Drosophila
melanogaster larval brain identified multiple subtypes of neural progenitors, differentiated
neurons, glia, undifferentiated neurons and non-neural cells. In the adult ventral nerve cord, 100
clusters of cells were identified. We will use these recent advances in scRNA-seq approaches to
identify cell types and determine gene expression profiles in the larval nervous systems from a
lepidopteran pest and adult nervous system of a hemipteran insect. To study similarities and
differences in cell types and their gene expression patterns among nervous systems between
insects and humans, the gene expression signatures identified in the pest insect nervous system
will be compared with those in the fruit fly and humans.
Status | Active |
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Effective start/end date | 1/1/23 → 5/31/25 |
Funding
- University of Florida: $80,000.00
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