Project properties
Title Genetic control of sexual dimorphic traits in the parasitoid wasp genus Nasonia
Group Entomology, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 36
Supervisor(s) Eveline Verhulst (ENT)
Examiner(s) Marcel Dicke (ENT)
Contact info filippo.guerra@wur.nl, eveline.verhulst@wur.nl
Begin date 2021/04/01
End date 2024/01/03
Description In most insect orders, the genetic sex determination cascade is a well conserved mechanism and involves a series of female-specific splicing events leading to the transcription of female or male specific isoforms of the Doublesex (DSX) protein. Both DSX isoforms are believed to target the same genes but have opposite effects on gene activation, thereby inducing sexual dimorphism. Despite the conservation of the genetic sex determination cascade, the final targets of DSX are highly variable among insects, providing for the basis for diversity in sexual traits.
In the laboratory, we are studying haplodiploid sex determination in Nasonia species. In Nasonia, the sex determination cascade is well conserved and leads to different phenotypes between species, such as wing size and leg pigmentation. By combining RNAi knock down of dsx and high throughput sequencing, we identified hundreds of potential DSX target genes. We are now left with the task to identify the function of these genes in the establishment of sexual dimorphic traits.
In this project, several traits can be studied, such as the control of wing size, leg pigmentation, pheromone production, mating behavior... depending on student preference. The experimental approach will be as follow:
1- Identify target genes based on sequencing data from the lab and literature.
2- Study the expression pattern of the target genes identified in (1) in different sexes, developmental stages, and Nasonia species by RT-qPCR.
3- Knock Down the most interesting genes identified in (1) and (2) by RNA interference and study their effects on molecular, morphological, and behavioral phenotypes.
This project is for you if:
- You like to combine insect (wasp) handling and molecular biology.
- You wish to study the basis of biodiversity, sexual dimorphism, and its evolution.
Contact: filippo.guerra@wur.nl, eveline.verhulst@wur.nl
Used skills insect microinjection, RNA interference, RT-qPCR, phenotyping, behavior observation
Requirements For doing a BSc-thesis at Entomology, there are no requirements for specific courses.
For doing a MSc-thesis or internship at Entomology, the following requirements apply: ENT-30806 + a second ENT-course (preferably ENT-30306 or ENT-50806 or ENT-53806). As an alternative for the second ENT-course, PHP-30806 or BHE-30306 can be selected.
Note: these requirements do not apply for MBI students; MBI students should check the requirements for doing an ENT MSc-thesis or internship in the study programme of their specialisation.