Project description:The purpose of this experiment was to assess the effect of a synergistic combination of natural pyrethrin and an ethylacetate extract of Piper nigrum seeds (a botanical insecticide). This effect was compared to the effects of P. nigrum or pyrethrin used alone. Due to the synergistic nature of the mixture, it was predicted that gene expression profiles in this treatment would reflect this effect. Keywords: insecticide response, stress-response
Project description:This study was designed to evaluate the proteome profiles of Piper nigrum when challenged with three different biotic stress. We have utilized a transcriptome-assisted protein identification pipeline coupled with a BLAST2GO annotation.
Project description:This experiment was used to determine the effect of a botanical insecticide upon gene expression profiles in Drosophila melanogaster. Adult female Drosophila (oregon-R strain) were treated with an ethylacetate extract of Piper nigrum (Piperaceae) seeds formulated in 99% ethanol. Treatment was topical, using a Potter's tower to administer a total of 2 mL of a 0.9mg/mL concentration. Control treatment was identical except flies were treated with 99% ethanol as a solvent control. Gene expression was studied four hours post-treatment. Keywords: insecticide response, stress-response
Project description:Endophytic fungi are fungi that live inside the roots of plants. They can promote plant growth through a variety of direct and indirect mechanisms. Direct mechanisms include the production of phytohormones, such as auxin and gibberellins, which can stimulate plant growth. Endophytic fungi can also fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphate, and produce siderophores, which are compounds that chelate iron and make it available to plants. In addition, some endophytic fungi produce antimicrobial metabolites that can protect plants from pests and pathogens. Indirect mechanisms include the induction of systemic resistance, which is a plant's ability to defend itself against pests and pathogens. Endophytic fungi can also help plants to tolerate abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, and heavy metals. In this study, we used a proteomic approach to identify the proteins that are expressed in rice plants after they are treated with endophytic fungi. We found that the treatment with endophytic fungi resulted in the expression of a number of proteins involved in plant growth, stress response, and defense. These results suggest that endophytic fungi can promote plant growth and improve plant resilience to stress.
