Biotech Updates

Hessian Fly Genome Sequenced

March 4, 2015

Hessian fly is one of the most destructive insect pests in wheat. It causes stunted growth due to galls in wheat seedlings. In a study conducted by a group of researchers from 26 different institutions, they were able to sequence the genome of Hessian fly. This provides a little hint on gall formations in wheat.

By examining how the Hessian fly attacks and regain its resistance to the wheat's defense system, they were able to reveal that the Hessian fly genome houses a large number of genes - more than 1000 genes coding for effector proteins, making it the largest gene family discovered in an insect genome. In addition, these genes can evolve quickly to produce effector proteins that are unrecognizable to plants as a response to its defense mechanism. Some of the effector proteins were found to share similarities between gall-forming bacteria.

Read full details of the story at Purdue University's website.