K-State contributions to red flour beetle genome sequencing featured in March 27 issue of NatureMarch 24, 2008MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Most of us hate to find the red flour beetle living happily in the flour sack in our pantries. But for several scientists at Kansas State University, and many others throughout the world, this pest of stored grain and grain products is the best organism for studying genetics. The superior status of this beetle, Tribolium castaneum, as an experimental system is largely because of the work of two Kansas State University faculty, Susan Brown, professor of biology, and Rob Denell, university distinguished professor of biology. They worked in collaboration with Richard Beeman, research entomologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Grain Marketing and Production Research Center in Manhattan. This team won funding to get Tribolium's genome sequenced, making it one of the earliest insect genomes to be sequenced and the first pest insect to be studied in this way.
"We've been able to exploit Tribolium's ease of culture, short life cycle, and facile genetics to create an array of sophisticated methodologies," Denell said. "It now joins the fruit fly Drosophila as a premier insect genetic system, and even offers advantages in some areas of study." The journal Nature will publish an article March 27 announcing the sequencing of the beetle's genetic material and summarizing the implications of this work. "It's really exciting to see the burst of activity in Tribolium studies that has accompanied the sequencing project," Brown said. "This new information will greatly aid research on topics as diverse as insect pest management and the genetic control of development." Kansas State University | |||||||
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Related Flour Beetle News Articles The flourbeetle's genome sequenced for the first time An international research consortium with the participation of a research team led by Professor Cornelis Grimmelikhuijzen from the Department of Biology, has sequenced the genome from the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. New genetic analysis forces re-draw of insect family tree The family tree covering almost half the animal species on the planet has been re-drawn following a genetic analysis which has revealed new relationships between four major groups of insects. K-State professors discover enzyme responsible for creation of a beetle's hard shell Kansas State University researchers think their discovery of the enzyme involved in the hardening of a beetle's exoskeleton or cuticle could lead not only to better pest control, but also help create similar strong, lightweight materials for use in aircraft and armor. More Flour Beetle News Articles |
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