Exploring RNA interference in the agricultural pests western corn rootworm, fall armyworm, and southern green stink bug

RNA interference (RNAi) is a highly conserved cellular process whereby small regulatory RNAs bound to argonaute proteins produce sequence-specific silencing of longer complementary RNAs. The agricultural biotechnology industry has taken advantage of RNAi to control insect pests through the use of transgenic crops expressing insecticidal RNAs. Upon introduction of double-stranded RNA into a pest, the complementary target messenger RNA is depleted and results in a lethal phenotype. For reasons that are not fully defined, certain insects respond differently to orally introduced RNAs, leaving holes in the manageability of all agricultural pests through this promising new technology. Furthermore, there are indications that insects may be able to develop resistance to crop-mediated RNAi through natural downregulation of RNAi pathway genes, among other proposed mechanisms. Using bioinformatics, next-generation sequencing, and insect bioassays, eight genes essential for RNAi were examined in three important agricultural insect pests for their potential involvement both in the differing responses to exogenous RNAs observed across these insects, and in development of resistance to insecticidal RNAs. These genes include drosha, dicer-1, dicer-2, pasha, loquacious, r2d2, argonaute 1, and argonaute 2. Putative homologues of the well-characterized Drosophila melanogaster genes were identified in the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), and southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) and compared using translated gene products. All genes were present in each insect and most showed conservation of basic protein domain structure, but differences in the number of isoforms and expression level of pasha, loquacious, r2d2, argonaute 1, and argonaute 2 were found. Sequencing experiments in each insect revealed the presence of small RNAs typical of the products of RNAi pathways, including conserved microRNAs. Abundance and distribution of these RNAs varied across life stage and insect. Finally, transcript depletion experiments were conducted in rootworm, and adverse phenotypic effects for each gene were observed. Taken together, these results suggest that while differences in these eight genes could contribute to variation in the RNAi pathways of these insects and therefore to variation in response to exogenous RNAs, they are unlikely to promote development of resistance to RNAi-based technology through expression pattern changes

An Evening of Samuel Beckett

Productions took place September 28-30 October 2-7https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/sotdp/1070/thumbnail.jp

Environmental Factors Influencing Drinking Water Consumption and Access in Rural Communities: Cuba, New Mexico

Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) contributes to increasing obesity rates because they are a highly caloric beverage with poor nutritional value. Substituting SSB consumption with water consumption will help to decrease obesity. Water consumption is affected by various factors, including water access, a clean water supply, SSB popularity, policies, recommendations, and individual perceptions. Little research has addressed water consumption in rural populations. We are investigating access to drinking water of residents of the rural multicultural town of Cuba, NM. A literature review is being conducted on the advantages of water consumption and adverse effects of SSBs. Field observations assessed access to water and water quality in schools. Federal, state and local requirements for water in schools are being reviewed. A modified version of the Nutrition Environment Measurements Survey will assess the availability and pricing of water in comparison to that of SSBs. An analysis of a transcribed meeting on community water consumption will provide information on the knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of community members regarding their water supply and consumption rates. A geographic information system map will be used to document water sources and quality as previously determined by annual tests (2004-14). Our findings should provide information on environmental factors influencing water consumption in Cuba that inform development of a community guide to facilitate discussions about increasing water consumption in that community. This information will also contribute to research on increasing drinking water consumption in other rural communities.https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/prc-posters-presentations/1010/thumbnail.jp

Voices from the Field: A Qualitative Exploration of Community Partners’ Definitions of Service-Learning

During the last two decades, the knowledge base regarding the benefits and burdens for all stakeholders in service learning has expanded. However, service-learning research has neglected to address the foundation of the pedagogy, its definition, and stakeholders’ perspectives on the meaning of service learning. The current research addresses this deficiency through the use of focus group methodology to explore how community partners, specifically, define service learning. By recognizing the community voice, we hope to empower all those engaged in service-learning pedagogy to communicate understandings, experiences, and expectations to develop beneficial service-learning partnerships