Insect Interactions Laboratory Esalq/USP

04/12/2020

28/12/2017

Our research on the discovery of new bioactive molecules against insect pests produced by insect-associated symbionts reached the international community. The use of porphyrins in pest control has been featured at the News of the American Society for Microbiology, making a reference to the new porphyrins described in a paper authored by Dr. Martinez. This project was funded by FAPESP (2011/50877-0).

A microbial symbiont found on ant exoskeletons called Streptomyces caniferus produces porphyrins, photoactive molecules with a number of bioactive functions including, surprisingly, the ability to kill insects. When the insecticidal fraction of the symbiont, which is a mix of several porphyrins, was...

24/12/2017

Dear all, I would like to remember a friend and a collaborator that just left us for reasons we may not understand and may never know. Maybe we ought question our surroundings and the way we live more often. Zé, be patient and do not fight too much with God! We will miss you.

24/12/2017

Dear teammates, alumni, collaborators and friends, I wish all of you a wonderful time among your friends, relatives and bugs and bacteria (if you did have to stay in the lab) during Christmas. I wish you all a tight hug even from a distance. Wishing your dreams become true in 2018. My best.

13/10/2017

Luis Gustavo Almeida and Bruna Lais Merlin delivered presentations during the ESALQShow to demonstrate the relevance of the research areas of our lab in generating innovative biotechnological tools to improve sustainable agricultural production. ESALQShow was organized at the College of Agriculture Luiz de Queiroz to bring the science and innovations developed by its researchers and students close to the private sector and entrepreneurs. http://fealq.org.br/esalqshow/

09/10/2017

The Insect Interactions Lab was represented in the FAPESP-BBSRC Workshop held on the 5th and 6th of October in São Pauto city. The goal of the workshop was to bring together several researchers and stimulate the development of partnerships to tackle insect resistance to insecticides by developing innovative approaches.

25/09/2017

The IILab is represented in the International Consortium that joined efforts to investigate the evolutionary mechanisms that led to the evolution of polyphagy and host race adaptation in Spodoptera frugiperda. Comparative genomic analyses demonstrated the role of genes involved in chemosensation and detoxification in polyphagy. Evolution of host race adaptation in S. frugiperda was also driven by genes involved in digestion, chemosensation and detoxification. The data made available will greatly contribute to the understanding of pest physiology and to the design of novel sustainable strategies for pest control.

Emergence of polyphagous herbivorous insects entails significant adaptation to recognize, detoxify and digest a variety of host-plants. Despite of its biological and practical importance - since insects eat 20% of crops - no exhaustive analysis of gene repertoires required for adaptations in general...

05/09/2017

Mariane Possignolo (Scientific Initiation Student) presented today some of her data during the 25th International Symposium of Scientific Initiation of the University of São Paulo. Mariane is funded by FAPESP and is doing a great job in investigating the resistance of aphids to parasitoids.

29/06/2017

Dr Fábio Cleisto Alda Dossi, Biologist (UEM), joined the lab in 03/2007 as a Master’s Student. Fábio also took his PhD and a post-doctoral position under Prof. Cônsoli supervision. He currently holds a post-doctoral position funded by CAPES and the Graduate Program in Entomology - ESALQ/USP. His project currently focus on the functional morphology of insects.

For additional information:
CV Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/7624981720350008
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fabio_Dossi
email: [email protected]
Twitter:

27/06/2017

Iara Donadão Preto, BSc. in Biotechnology (UFSCar-Araras), joined the lab in 03/2016 as a Master’s student with co-supervision of Prof. Cônsoli. She is working on the potential use of plant endophytes for the development of sustainable strategies for pest management, mainly focusing on the identification of new bioactive molecules.

For additional information:
CV Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/1609628974790448
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Iara_Preto
email: [email protected] / [email protected]

27/06/2017

Ana Flávia Canovas Martinez and Luis Gustavo Almeida teamed up for searching for new bioinsecticides produced by insect microbial symbionts and described three new porphyrins. Porphyrins were highly efficient in controlling fall armyworm larvae!

23/06/2017

Diandra Achre, BSc. in Agronomic Engineer (UNIOESTE), joined the lab in 03/2016 as a Master’s Student. Her project is focused on the interactions of the gut microbiota of Spodoptera frugiperda with the host plant.

For additional information:
CV Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/0293979396867758
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Diandra_Achre
email: [email protected]