This is a database of peer-reviewed literature that focuses on Genetic Biocontrol research. The latest are shown here.
Bacterial biota associated with the invasive insect pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)
The functional analysis of the microbiome using FAPROTAX showed that denitrification, arsenite oxidation, methylotrophy and methanotrophy as the active functional groups of the adult and larvae microbiomes. Our results have revealed the core taxonomic, functional, and interacting microbiota of T. absoluta and these indicate that the larvae and adults harbor a similar but transitory set of bacteria. The results provide a novel insight and a basis for exploring microbiome-based biocontrol strategy for this invasive insect pest as well as the ecological significance of some of the identified microbiota is discussed.
Lateef, A.A., Azeez, A.A., Ren, W. et al. Bacterial biota associated with the invasive insect pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). Sci Rep 14, 8268 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58753-w
Enhancing biological control of postharvest green mold in lemons: Synergistic efficacy of native yeasts with diverse mechanisms of action
The combined application of native yeasts showed a synergistic effect considering that the multiple mechanisms of action involved could hinder the development of green mold in lemon more efficiently than using single yeasts. Therefore, this work demonstrates that the integration of native yeasts with diverse modes of action can provide new insights to formulate effective microbial consortia. This could lead to the development of tailor-made biofungicides, allowing control of postharvest fungal diseases in lemons while remaining competitive with traditionally used synthetic chemicals.
Pereyra MM, Díaz MA, Vero S, Dib JR. Enhancing biological control of postharvest green mold in lemons: Synergistic efficacy of native yeasts with diverse mechanisms of action. PLoS One. 2024 Apr 5;19(4):e0301584. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301584. PMID: 38578716; PMCID: PMC10997081.
The updated genome of the Hungarian population of Aedes koreicus
Vector-borne diseases pose a potential risk to human and animal welfare, and understanding their spread requires genomic resources. The mosquito Aedes koreicus is an emerging vector that has been introduced into Europe more than 15 years ago but only a low quality, fragmented genome was available. In this study, we carried out additional sequencing and assembled and characterized the genome of the species to provide a background for understanding its evolution and biology. The updated genome was 1.1 Gbp long and consisted of 6099 contigs with an N50 value of 329,610 bp and a BUSCO score of 84%.
Nagy NA, Tóth GE, Kurucz K, Kemenesi G, Laczkó L. The updated genome of the Hungarian population of Aedes koreicus. Sci Rep. 2024 Mar 30;14(1):7545. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-58096-6. PMID: 38555322; PMCID: PMC10981705.
Whole-genome sequence and resistance determinants of four Elizabethkingia anophelis clinical isolates collected in Hanoi, Vietnam
Four isolates of the opportunistic pathogen Elizabethkingia anophelis were identified for the first time in a Vietnamese hospital and underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing and genomic characterization by whole-genome sequencing. Complete, fully circularized genome sequences were obtained for all four isolates. Average Nucleotide Identity analysis and single nucleotide polymorphism phylogenetic analysis on the core genome showed that three of the four isolates were genetically distinct, ruling out the hypothesis of a single strain emergence. Antibiotic susceptibility testing highlighted multi-resistant phenotypes against most antimicrobial families, including beta-lactams, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, quinolones, macrolides, amphenicols, rifamycins and glycopeptides.
Commans, F., Hayer, J., Do, B.N. et al. Whole-genome sequence and resistance determinants of four Elizabethkingia anophelis clinical isolates collected in Hanoi, Vietnam. Sci Rep 14, 7241 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57564-3
Transcriptomic investigation of the interaction between a biocontrol yeast, Papiliotrema terrestris strain PT22AV, and the postharvest fungal pathogen Penicillium expansum on apple
Biocontrol strategies offer a promising alternative to control plant pathogens achieving food safety and security. In this study we apply a RNAseq analysis during interaction between the biocontrol agent (BCA) Papiliotrema terrestris, the pathogen Penicillium expansum, and the host Malus domestica. Analysis of the BCA finds overall 802 upregulated DEGs (differentially expressed genes) when grown in apple tissue, with the majority being involved in nutrients uptake and oxidative stress response. This suggests that these processes are crucial for the BCA to colonize the fruit wounds and outcompete the pathogen. As to P. expansum analysis, 1017 DEGs are upregulated when grown in apple tissue, with the most represented GO categories being transcription, oxidation reduction process, and transmembrane transport.
Ianiri G, Barone G, Palmieri D, Quiquero M, Gaeta I, De Curtis F, Castoria R. Transcriptomic investigation of the interaction between a biocontrol yeast, Papiliotrema terrestris strain PT22AV, and the postharvest fungal pathogen Penicillium expansum on apple. Commun Biol. 2024 Mar 22;7(1):359. doi: 10.1038/s42003-024-06031-w. PMID: 38519651; PMCID: PMC10960036.
A theoretical framework to improve the adoption of green Integrated Pest Management tactics
Sustainable agriculture relies on implementing effective, eco-friendly crop protection strategies. However, the adoption of these green tactics by growers is limited by their high costs resulting from the insufficient integration of various components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In response, we propose a framework within IPM termed Multi-Dimensional Management of Multiple Pests (3MP). Within this framework, a spatial dimension considers the interactive effects of soil-crop-pest-natural enemy networks on pest prevalence, while a time dimension addresses pest interactions over the crop season.
Han, P., Rodriguez-Saona, C., Zalucki, M.P. et al. A theoretical framework to improve the adoption of green Integrated Pest Management tactics. Commun Biol 7, 337 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06027-6
Larvicidal activity of Acacia nilotica extracts against Culex pipiens and their suggested mode of action by molecular simulation docking
Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest and most hazardous animals on Earth, where they transmit several diseases that kill millions of people annually. There is an ongoing search almost everywhere in the world for more effective and contemporary ways to control mosquitoes other than pesticides. Phytochemicals are affordable, biodegradable biological agents that specialize in eliminating pests that represent a risk to public health. The effectiveness of Acacia nilotica methanol and aqueous leaf extracts against 4th instar larvae was evaluated. The results revealed that the methanol extract of A. nilotica had a noticeable influence on the mortality rate of mosquito larvae, especially at high concentrations. Not only did the mortality rate rise significantly, but the hatching of the mosquito eggs was potentially suppressed.
Baz, M.M., El-Shourbagy, N.M., Alkhaibari, A.M. et al. Larvicidal activity of Acacia nilotica extracts against Culex pipiens and their suggested mode of action by molecular simulation docking. Sci Rep 14, 6248 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56690-2
Heatwaves are detrimental to fertility in the viviparous tsetse fly
Heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, pushing animals beyond physiological limits. While most studies focus on survival limits, sublethal effects on fertility tend to occur below lethal thresholds, and consequently can be as important for population viability. Typically, male fertility is more heat-sensitive than female fertility, yet direct comparisons are limited. Over six weeks, heatwaves resulted in equivalent fertility loss in both sexes. Combined with mortality, this lead to a 10% population decline over six weeks compared to the control.
Weaving H, Terblanche JS, English S. Heatwaves are detrimental to fertility in the viviparous tsetse fly. Proc Biol Sci. 2024 Mar 13;291(2018):20232710. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2710. Epub 2024 Mar 13. PMID: 38471560; PMCID: PMC10932722.
First report of natural infection of Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles coluzzii by Wolbachia and Microsporidia in Benin: a cross-sectional study
Recently, bacterial endosymbiont, including Wolbachia and Microsporidia were found to limit the infection of Anopheles mosquitoes with Plasmodium falciparum. This study aimed to investigate the natural presence of key transmission-blocking endosymbionts in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii in Southern Benin. Aggregated data for HLCs and PSCs showed a sporozoite rate (SR) of 0.80% (95% CI 0.09–2.87) and 0.69% (95% CI 0.09–2.87) for An. gambiae and An. coluzzii, respectively, with a mean of 0.74% (95% CI 0.20–1.90).
Ahouandjinou, M.J., Sovi, A., Sidick, A. et al. First report of natural infection of Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles coluzzii by Wolbachia and Microsporidia in Benin: a cross-sectional study. Malar J 23, 72 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-04906-1
Role of seasonal importation and genetic drift on selection for drug-resistant genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum in high-transmission settings
Historically Plasmodium falciparum has followed a pattern of drug resistance first appearing in low-transmission settings before spreading to high-transmission settings. Several features of low-transmission regions are hypothesized as explanations: higher chance of symptoms and treatment seeking, better treatment access, less within-host competition among clones and lower rates of recombination. Upon controlling for the timing of importation of drug-resistant genotypes and examination of key model variables, we found that drug-resistant genotypes imported during the low-transmission season were (i) more susceptible to stochastic extinction due to the action of genetic drift, and (ii) more likely to lead to establishment of drug resistance when parasites are able to survive early stochastic loss due to drift. This implies that rare importation events are more likely to lead to establishment if they occur during a high-transmission season, but that constant importation (e.g. neighbouring countries with high levels of resistance) may produce a greater risk during low-transmission periods.
Zupko, R. J., Servadio, J. L., Nguyen, T. D., Tran, T. N. A., Tran, K. T., Somé, A. F., & Boni, M. F. (2023). Role of Seasonal Importation and Random Genetic Drift on Selection for Drug-Resistant Genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum in High Transmission Settings. bioRxiv.
