Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Host Immunity in the Drosophila-parasitoid System and Its Application in a Course-Based Research Experience

Author

Ashley Waring-Sparks, Illinois State UniversityFollow

Date of Award

10-23-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

School of Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Rebekka Darner

Abstract

A functional immune response is essential for the survival of all living organisms. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a well-established model for studying host immunity as well as metabolic regulation during an immune response. Fruit fly larvae, in nature, are commonly infected by parasitoid wasps whose survival is dependent on the successful parasitization of their host. The immune response that the fly elicits toward the wasp egg is a primitive yet effective process. I characterized the genes induced by a host during infection, identified metabolites present in a host during infection, investigated the role of Ab in the cellular immune response, and demonstrated the relevance of this research in a biomedically relevant CURE.

Comments

Imported from WaringSparks_ilstu_0092E_12507.pdf

Recommended Citation

Waring-Sparks, Ashley, "Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Host Immunity in the Drosophila-parasitoid System and Its Application in a Course-Based Research Experience" (2023). Theses and Dissertations. 1874.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/1874

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2023.20240124055108547902.999975

Page Count

163