Project description:To study the underlying molecular mechanisms during the Varroa destructor life cycle, we carried out transcriptomic profiling of seven stages: young mites (collected from P8 to P9 brood cells), phoretic mites (collected on adult bees), arresting mites (collected in unsealed L5 brood cells), pre-laying mites (collected from sealed brood cells containing moving larva), laying mites (collected from sealed brood cells containing pre-pupae), post-laying mites (collected from capped brood cells containing purple-eye and white-body pupae P5), emerging mites (collected from P8 to P9 brood cells). In addition, we sampled non-reproducing mites (collected from P5 brood cells, but without offspring), males (collected from P8 to P9 brood cells), and phoretic mites artificially reared in cages with adult bees. This study was performed using Apis mellifera L. honey bee colonies naturally infested by Varroa destructor mites. Adult mites were collected from 4 unrelated colonies.
Project description:Hox proteins are transcription factors and key regulators of segmental identity along the anterior posterior axis across all bilateral animals. Despite decades of research, mechanism by which Hox proteins select their targets and specify segmental identity remains elusive. To address this question we carried out whole genome ChIP-chip experiments to identify direct targets of Hox protein Ultrabithorax (Ubx) during haltere development in Drosophila. When mis-expressed in wing segment (T2) Ubx converts its identity to that of haltere segment (T3). We used CbxHm/+ wing discs ectopically expressing Ubx in the pouch region of discs to obtain chromatin. This helped us focus on targets of Ubx involved in pouch development without mixing with the targets involved in notum development. Polyclonal Ubx antibodies against N-terminal region (excluding homeodomain) were generated in our lab and used to pull down Ubx bound regions from CbxHm/+ wing discs. Mock DNA (No antibody) was used as control.