Fruit flies are destructive pests, affecting more than 300 horticultural crops globally. Robust, cost-effective, high-throughput approaches to monitor outbreaks and control measures, can potentially improve determination of risk and responses.
A potential approach to rapidly identify fruit fly species, life-cycle stage, and fertility is to use a type of mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry is an analytical tool for identifying proteins and other molecules. By studying the protein signature of different populations of fruit fly, we hope to create a new, rapid technique to identify fruit flies and assist with management.
This is an interesting project that combines entomology with analytical tools usually associated with chemistry.
Aim: The aim of this project is to explore the use of mass spectrometry to differentiate species and populations of fruit fly, to detect diagnostic proteins that are differentially expressed according to growth conditions, pesticide resistance, fertility, mating status, or treatment with gamma irradiation. Achieving these aims will facilitate:
- Determination of fertility and mating status
- Differentiation of wild populations from laboratory releases
- Verification of offshore gamma irradiation when live fruit flies are detected in inspections of imported goods
Meet the PhD student on this project
Jowell Darwiche
Building her career in environmental research, Jowell Darwiche is an aspiring laboratory scientist beginning her PhD project in the “Identification of Fruit Fly Biomarkers using Mass Spectrometry,” specifically matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS).
With previous experience in environmental and climate conservation efforts via her Master of Research project at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, which focused on exploring root morphology mutations to optimise plant-microbe and mycorrhizal interactions for carbon sequestration, Jowell is looking to investigate alternate methods of protecting Australian horticulture and native flora and fauna via biosecurity efforts. With the ever-evolving technology of mass spectrometry, this exploration presents exciting potential of bringing new technology to the biosecurity sector.
Supervisors and advisors
Professor Peter Solomon, The Australian National University.
David Nehl, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Chris Nellessen, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
David Britton, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Approach
This project uses the following techniques and approaches.
- Morphological methods with microscopy and dissection to resolve species identity, sex, and mating status of adult fruit fly species
- Laboratory cultures of fruit fly to enable controlled experimentation
- Fruit fly control treatments, such as gamma irradiation or pesticides
- Mass spectrometry to create diagnostic reference spectra and detect potential protein biomarkers. Specifically, the project will use Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS): Bruker MALDI Biotyper sirius.
- Other mass spectrometry approaches for deeper investigation of specific biomarkers
- DNA sequencing to verify the identity of specimens sourced from surveillance and border intervention
Want to know more? Email jowell.el-darwiche@anu.edu.au.