About the Author
Ayushi Gupta obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Gargi College and her Master’s in Botany from the Department of Botany, University of Delhi. She was awarded the Panchanan Maheshwari Memorial Prize (Gold Medal) for being the best candidate in M.Sc. Botany examinations. Subsequently, she joined Dr. Suresh Nair’s research group at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi for her Ph.D. During her doctorate, she worked on deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the rapid adaptive nature of insect pests. Additionally, she studied the role of the gut microbiome in insects’ survival.
Interview
How would you explain your research outcomes to the non-scientific community?
The brown planthopper (BPH) is the second most devastating pest of rice that causes immense yield loss. The rapid development of pesticide resistance and the ability to overcome host-plant defenses have made conventional strategies ineffective. We hypothesized that BPH adapts by shifting its microbiome composition. We performed Pseudomonas-specific 16S rRNA gut microbiome profiling and observed differences in species composition and abundance across BPH populations. This suggests a complex interaction between the insect and its microbial community that enhances survival under stress.
How do these findings contribute to your research area?
This study opens up a new perspective on the role of symbionts in insect biology. Since Pseudomonas is a primary symbiont, it could potentially be engineered to manage pests like BPH. The findings may help monitor BPH populations across regions and inform pesticide choices during different stages of rice cultivation. This lays the groundwork for symbiont-based pest management strategies under Integrated Pest Management (IPM) frameworks.
“Our findings provide new avenues and offer a promising approach for managing BPH populations as part of an effective strategy for integrated pest management (IPM) of this destructive pest of rice.”
What was the exciting moment during your research?
The entire journey was filled with excitement and learning. Observing microbiome shifts and correlating them with BPH survival was particularly rewarding. Brainstorming with my supervisor and lab mates added immense value to the research process.
What do you hope to do next?
Our group is now exploring multi-species microbial interactions in BPH. It’s possible that several bacterial symbionts—not just Pseudomonas—contribute to stress resilience. Understanding this collective microbial influence will further enrich pest management strategies.
Where do you seek scientific inspiration from?
I’ve always been intrigued by plant-insect interactions. Exploring how insects adapt, diversify, and evolve through molecular and ecological lenses is both essential and exciting. Groundbreaking research from global scientists continues to inspire me, while positive feedback and reproducibility of findings further fuel my curiosity.
How do you intend to help Indian science improve?
I strongly believe in equitable and inclusive science. In my future roles, I aim to ensure that individuals from diverse backgrounds are involved in knowledge creation and dissemination. I also want to make scientific outputs accessible to the general public, particularly those with limited resources, and promote collaborative, respectful environments for research and innovation.
Reference
Ayushi Gupta, Deepak Kumar Sinha, Suresh Nair (2022). Shifts in Pseudomonas species diversity influence adaptation of brown planthopper to changing climates and geographical locations. iScience 25(7): 104550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2022.104550
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