“Overexpression of candidate insect herbivory resistance genes in Setaria viridis and the effects on Spodoptera frugiperda herbivory”

Project Summary:

This project investigates how insect herbivory of Setaria viridis (hereafter Setaria) is affected by overexpression of three candidate genes encoding chitinase, thionin, and pathogenesis-related protein Bet VI family. The transgenic candidate genes sequences were confirmed to ensure the correct genes were inserted into the Setaria genome. Subsequently, the overexpression of the three candidate genes in respective plants was confirmed using quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Selecting for the Setaria lines with the greatest overexpression of the respective candidate genes at the transcript level, comparative herbivory experiments using Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) were and will continue to be conducted.

My Experience:

This project investigates how insect herbivory of Setaria viridis (hereafter Setaria) is affected by overexpression of three candidate genes encoding chitinase, thionin, and pathogenesis-related protein Bet VI family. The transgenic candidate genes sequences were confirmed to ensure the correct genes were inserted into the Setaria genome. Subsequently, the overexpression of the three candidate genes in respective plants was confirmed using quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Selecting for the Setaria lines with the greatest overexpression of the respective candidate genes at the transcript level, comparative herbivory experiments using Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) were and will continue to be conducted.