Navigation Links
New possibilities to fight pests with biological means

Corn plants emit a cocktail of scents when they are attacked by certain pests, such as a caterpillar known as the Egyptian cotton leaf worm.

Parasitic wasps use these plant scents to localize the caterpillar and deposit their eggs on it, so that their offspring can feed on the caterpillar. Soon after, the caterpillar dies and the plant is relieved from its attacker. In the case of corn, only one gene, TPS10, has to be activated to attract the parasitic wasps. This gene carries information for a terpene synthase, an enzyme forming the sesquiterpene scent compounds that are released by the plant and attract wasps toward the damaged corn plant. Since this mechanism is based only on a single gene, it might be useful for the development of crop plants with a better resistance to pests (PNAS, Early Edition, January 16-20, 2006).

At least 15 species of plants are known to release scents after insect damage, thus attracting the enemies of their enemies. Scientists term this mechanism "indirect defence". A previous cooperation by the scientists in Neuchatel and Jena showed that indirect defence functions not only above ground, but also below the earth's surface [1].

To understand the biochemistry behind this plant defence, biologists of the Max Planck institute studied corn plants, caterpillars of the species Spodoptera littoralis (Egyptian cotton leaf worm) and parasitic wasps of the species Cotesia marginiventris. Deciphering the complex mix of scents that the plants release after damage offered clues as to which classes of enzymes might be important for scent production.

The researchers isolated various genes encoding terpene synthases, the enzymes that produce these scents. One of these genes, TPS10, produced the exact bouquet of nine scent compounds that was released by the damaged corn plant. To demonstrate that TPS10 is indeed the important gene, the scientists introduced TPS10 into another plant, called Arabidopsis thaliana, which th
'"/>

Source:Max-Planck-Gesellschaft


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. New possibilities for flu antiviral and vaccine research emerge from Spanish flu virus
2. Three-dimensional, miniature endoscope opens new diagnostic possibilities
3. Heart failure: Intervention possibilities from imaging programmed cell loss
4. The quest for an effective HIV vaccine presents new possibilities, challenges
5. Learning to fight an adversary that wont stay down
6. Antibiotic might fight HIV-induced neurological problems
7. NYU study reveals how brains immune system fights viral encephalitis
8. Molecular models advance the fight against malaria
9. Molecule that usually protects infection-fighting cells may cause plaque deposits inside arteries
10. Researchers find promising cancer-fighting power of synthetic cell-signaling molecule
11. Agilent Technologies new genome analysis technology set to accelerate Australia fight against mesothelioma
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: New possibilities fight pests with biological means

(Date:5/24/2013)... for medication against Alzheimer,s disease, scientists have focused among ... beta (A-beta). After all, it is the accumulation of A-beta ... patients. Starting point for the formation of A-beta is APP. ... to unravel the function of APPL the fruit-fly version ... , Alessia Soldano (VIB/KU Leuven): "We have discovered that ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... in Plant Science , Automated ... content and promoter evolution among grasses , Within ... stretches of DNA that undergo little change in position ... code for any proteins. Some of these evolutionarily stable ... regulate the expression of other genes or the condensation ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... RICHLAND, Wash. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory honored ... and commercialization of intellectual property at PNNL,s annual ... , The Department of Energy national laboratory ... Year for his work developing battery materials that ... to the electrical grid, and reduce the time ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):A new strategy required in the search for Alzheimer's drugs? 2Frontiers news briefs: May 23 2Frontiers news briefs: May 23 3PNNL staff recognized for scientific accomplishments, moving technologies into the marketplace 2
... French and Spanish . Scientists ... San Cecilio Teaching Hospital (Granada) have determined for the first ... and have identified the genes which cause it. The research ... the San Cecilio University Hospital, who has recently constructed the ...
... respond to stress by producing significant amounts of a ... by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research ... behavior of plants and their impacts on air quality, ... an early warning signal about crops that are failing. ...
... A groundbreaking new study into the mating and nesting ... partner up to eight males sequentially the highest ... Monash University,s School of Biological Sciences, has researched the ... and in this latest field trip, discovered a new ...
Cached Biology News:Scientists identify the genes that cause blindness produced by corneal edema 2Plants in forest emit aspirin chemical to deal with stress; discovery may help agriculture 2Plants in forest emit aspirin chemical to deal with stress; discovery may help agriculture 3Australian frog species chooses not to put eggs in 1 basket 2
(Date:5/24/2013)... New York, NY (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 ... help the public protect themselves from the looming higher risk ... Cleaning Products published a new bed bug guideline. In the ... of bed bugs and avoiding them while traveling. ... why there is an increase of bed bug infestation during ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... 2013 Senomyx , Inc. (NASDAQ: ... technologies to discover, develop, and commercialize novel flavor ingredients, ... Ph.D., the Company,s Vice President, Biology and ... Corporate Communications, will present an overview of Senomyx,s technology ... Eastern Time (7:25 a.m. Pacific Time) during the Citi ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 ... selective barriers, and uptake or efflux transporters at the ... may be related to unbound fractions in the tissue ... understanding of these disposition challenges is required to guide ... and to identify any species-dependent variables that may impact ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 Vestiage, ... lifestyle company focused on science-based research and development, ... anti-aging cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals, announced today that it ... States for the sale of Reluma Skin Illuminating ... packet and application by sending an email to ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Steps for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs without Using Chemicals and Avoiding Them While Traveling Enumerated by My Cleaning Products in Its Latest Post 2Steps for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs without Using Chemicals and Avoiding Them While Traveling Enumerated by My Cleaning Products in Its Latest Post 3SENOMYX TO WEBCAST CORPORATE PRESENTATION AT THE CITI 2013 GLOBAL CONSUMER CONFERENCE 2DMPK for Targeted Tissue Delivery: Solutions for the Most Challenging Part of Outsourcing, New Life Science Webinar Hosted by Xtalks 2Vestiage Announces Launch of Exclusive Territories for Reluma Brand Sales in USA 2Vestiage Announces Launch of Exclusive Territories for Reluma Brand Sales in USA 3Vestiage Announces Launch of Exclusive Territories for Reluma Brand Sales in USA 4Vestiage Announces Launch of Exclusive Territories for Reluma Brand Sales in USA 5
... 2011 Roche Diabetes Care, makers of ACCU-CHEK® products ... to promote diabetes education, awareness and advocacy. The company ... Canada to North America. Roche Diabetes Care,s ... ( www.twitter.com/accuchek_us ) accounts have been created with ...
... April 6, 2011 According to a report issued ... prevalence of autism, a group of developmental disabilities that can ... to one in every 110 births in the United ... the patient check-in company, introduced an automated version of ...
... April 6, 2011 Morphotek®, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai ... Beacon Award from Cancer Care , a national support ... of Cancer Care ,s educational programs for people facing lung ... to help patients and their families become aware of options ...
Cached Biology Technology:Roche Diabetes Care in the U.S. Turns to Social Media to Promote Diabetes Education, Awareness and Advocacy 2Roche Diabetes Care in the U.S. Turns to Social Media to Promote Diabetes Education, Awareness and Advocacy 3Phreesia Screening Tool Helps Physician Practices with Autism Early Detection 2Morphotek®, Inc. Receives Beacon Award From CancerCare 2Morphotek®, Inc. Receives Beacon Award From CancerCare 3
Recombinant Rat Leptin, Ultra Pure...
Bethyl Laboratories packages antibodies, conjugates and calibrators to provide quantitative ELISA kits. Each kit contains the following components, sufficient for 1000 single well assays....
Bethyl Laboratories packages antibodies, conjugates and calibrators to provide quantitative ELISA kits. Each kit contains the following components, sufficient for 1000 single well assays....
Bethyl Laboratories packages antibodies, conjugates and calibrators to provide quantitative ELISA kits. Each kit contains the following components, sufficient for 1000 single well assays....
Biology Products: