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Chemical ecology of pest and beneficial arthropods : Identification, biosynthesis and scaled production of pheromones and other semiochemicals

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004944
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor John Pickett
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,868,626
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2008
End date	31/03/2012
Duration	48 months

Abstract

Chemical ecology is the study of interactions between organisms that are mediated by chemicals produced naturally. This is a platform project that characterises, at the molecular level, and produces, by synthesis or biotechnological means, chemical signals acting by non-toxic mechanisms, i.e. pheromones and other semiochemicals that affect the behaviour and/or development of pest and beneficial organisms, principally insects affecting plant, animal and human health, but also including certain pathogens and weeds. Advanced analytical techniques are used to study very low levels of compounds produced by insects and their hosts. Where appropriate, electrophysiological preparations from insect antennae, including single neuron recordings, are coupled to high resolution gas chromatography for location of physiological activity in samples, for which behavioural activity is established. Tentative molecular structures are proposed using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (NMR), either by coupling to high resolution gas chromatography or liquid chromatography, or by preparative GC/HPLC isolation prior to microprobe NMR analysis. Authentic compounds are obtained by synthesis or isolation from other natural sources, e.g. by extraction, or by chemical/genetic modification of plant-derived material, and molecular characteristics are confirmed by either MS and/or NMR. Confirmation of activity of the authentic chemical products is provided by behavioural studies. Scaled-up synthesis/extraction of products is undertaken for provision of materials for larger scale biological studies, including field deployment. Following confirmation of identity and activity, the biosynthesis of semiochemicals is then investigated, typically by the synthesis of putative biosynthetic precursors incorporating isotope labelling, and incubation of labelled materials with natural material, either in vivo or in vitro. Labelled metabolites are then characterised using MS and/or NMR.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research Topics	Crop Science, Neuroscience and Behaviour, Plant Science, Structural Biology
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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