Chemical Factors Structuring Gut Microbial Communities of Insects (B03)

• Subject Area: Animal Physiology and Biochemistry
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 239748522

We will explore the chemical factors controlling the composition of microbial communities in the gut of the African Cotton Leafworm Spodoptera littoralis. In particular, the formation of iron chelators, such as 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid by the insect's gut tissue could be used to control the composition of the consortia. Fluorescent Enterococci, integrated in the microbiome, will be used for transcriptome analyses along the gut and over all developmental stages of the insect. The approach is expected to provide an overview on adaptation strategies of the microorganisms in the changing environments during the development of the insect.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1127: Chemical Mediators in Complex Biosystems (ChemBioSys)
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Wilhelm Boland