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CUBE students @Theertha @Shraddha276 and @Lakshmy have gone to Ahmedabad to present their posters on their work…
In the following paragraph, you can find the abstracts and posters that have been collaboratively prepared by the CUBists
1st Poster
Abstract
Selection and shifting of host Plant by Psyche Butterflies (Leptosia nina) through co- evolutionary
Interactions
Sonavane Shraddha V., Yadav Kiran, Arunan M.C, Pipewala Batul, Joshi Himanshu, Advani Jaikishan, P.Chitralekha
In this study we report the host range broadening and switching by Psyche butterfly (Leptosia nina).
The reported host plants of Psyche included Cleome (Cleomaceae), Creteva and Capparis sp. (Capparidaceae) but recently, the entire life cycle of Psyche was observed on Cardamine, a member of closely related family Brassicaceae, by CUBists. All these plants species are known to produced Glucosinolates, which are generally toxic to many other butterflies. The Psyche butterfly has evolved to detoxify the glucosinolates and survive on these plants.
Plants and butterflies have co-evolved for their survival. Plants release glucosinolates to protect themselves from herbivores, whereas Psyche caterpillars survive on plants by producing Nitrile Specific Proteins (NSP) which breakdown glucosinolates, neutralizing their toxic effect. Besides, the caterpillars also store toxic glucosinolates as a defence against predators. Our finding suggests that Psyche butterfly has evolved to complete its lifecycle on all plants producing glucosinolates.
Cardamine Psyche interaction poster ISEB4 (1).pdf (1.3 MB)
Poster
poster pdf
Cardamine Psyche interaction poster ISEB4 (1).pdf (1.3 MB)
2nd Poster
Abstract
Combating first ever known horizontal gene transfer between plant and whitefly, Bemisia tabaci to develop pest control strategies
Ichha shah.,Arunan M.C.,Theertha M.D.,Lakshmy P.J.,KiranY.,Chitralekha P.,Himanshu J
Adithya J.,Abhijeet S.,Smiti G,
Plants produce secondary metabolites as defence against pests. Yet, most plants serve as food for insects.
Phyllanthus is a plant which belongs to the family Phyllanthaceae and it is known for producing secondary metabolites of medicinal importance.
We observed that Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, can infect Phyllanthus plants inspite of presence of secondary metabolites.
As per recent publications, Whitefly has been shown to have acquired a gene, coding for melonyl transferase from plants through horizontal gene transfer which can detoxified secondary metabolites. This evolution of white fly through acquisition of the gene has enabled it to infect a large number of plants. We proposed to confirm this, and if found to be true, then suggest a model for combating many insect infestation of crop plants through RNAi technology.
Poster
Poster Pdf
ISEB 2023_Whitefly-4.pdf (663.5 KB)
3rd Poster
Abstract
A study to understand the factors involved in regulation of circadian rhythm in different organisms
Smiti G., Sharma Shalini., Sonavane Shraddha V., Theertha M.D., Lakshmy P.J, P.Chitralekha
Most living organisms, including animals, plants, and microbes, are impacted by circadian rhythms. The objective of our study was to understand the role of factors in maintaining circadian rhythm in organisms like Drosophila and Phyllanthus with respect to their evolution over the time.
Although our project was done collaboratively by people from all over India, similar results were obtained; consistently two peak activities were seen, one before noon(9-11 am) and one in the evening (4-6pm). In case of Phyllanthus, the leaves unfold during day time and remain folded during the night, However our experiments showed that this rhythm could be disrupted on exposure to continuous light and darkness. Not only light but adverse conditions such as high light intensity, high temperature and low soil water content can also initiate leaf folding. Our results clearly indicate that both Drosophila and Phyllanthus have evolved circadian rhythm to better adapt to the environment.
Poster
Poster pdf
ISEB CIRCADIAN RHYTHM.pdf (2.9 MB)
Click on the given link below to know more about ISEB Conference
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