Award details

Insect chemical ecology: identification and production of chemical signals (semiochemicals)

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004189
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor John Pickett
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	2,466,324
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2008
Duration	108 months

Abstract

Chemical ecology is the study of interactions between organisms that are mediated by chemicals produced naturally. This project both characterises, at the molecular level, and produces, by synthesis or biotechnological means, chemical signals acting by non-toxic mechanisms, i.e. the semiochemicals that give rise to developmental or behavioural changes in both pest and beneficial organisms, principally insects, in agricultural and natural ecosystems. Electrophysiological preparations from insect antennae, including single neuron recordings, are coupled to high resolution chromatography for initial location of biological activity in samples for which behavioural activity is established. Tentative molecular structures are proposed using chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy where applicable. Authentic compounds are obtained by synthesis or isolation from other natural sources, for example by extraction or chemical modification of plant-derived material, and molecular characteristics are confirmed by spectroscopy, particularly NMR. Confirmation of activity of the authentic chemical products is provided by behavioural studies. Pilot scale production for larger scale biological studies, including field deployment is by synthesis and, wherever possible, by larger scale plant cultivation and fermentation technologies, followed by extraction and modification where necessary, with collaborative links for exploitation of molecular genetics.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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