Research Overview
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We are broadly interested in understanding cell signing in the immune response to infection, how dysregulated signaling contributes to disease pathogenesis, and in uncovering novel regulators of cell signaling found in Hymenopteran venoms.
We take an integrative approach, using genetics, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics techniques to investigate cell signaling in the Drosophila melanogaster-parasitoid wasp model host-parasite interaction. |
Research Model
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The parasitoid wasp will inject the Drosophila melanogaster larva with an egg. Once injected two possibilities may occur. In one scenario the egg will develop inside the growing larva, eventually killing its host and emerge as an adult wasp. To aid in the success of the wasps growth, venom is also injected along with the egg to combat the natural immune system of the Drosophila larva. The second possibility is the larvas immune system is able to outcompete and encapsulate the wasp egg. The larva is then able to grow into an adult fly.
In our lab we study three different parasitoid wasps:
More Information about our model and our research can be found here! |
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