Role of Methylation Patterns of Transposons Linked to Rapid Adaptive Responses in Insects
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. She is currently pursuing her doctoral studies under the guidance of Dr. Suresh Nair at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the rapid adaptive nature of insect pests and the role of the gut microbiome in their survival. She aspires to build a career in research on plant-insect interactions.
Work done in the lab of Dr. Suresh Nair at ICGEB.
Interview
How would you explain your research outcomes to the non-scientific community?
Insect pests continue to challenge our efforts to grow crops for food, fiber, and other needs. Due to their rapid adaptation, they have spread across nearly all agro-ecosystems. However, the molecular basis of their adaptability is still not fully understood. Using the brown planthopper (BPH)—the second most destructive rice pest—as a model, we investigated the role of transposable elements (TEs) in this process. Once dismissed as ‘genomic parasites’, TEs are now seen as genomic symbionts that influence adaptability and speciation.
We discovered at least two major transpositional events in the evolutionary history of BPH, confirming the critical role of TEs in shaping its genome. But TEs also burden the genome. We hypothesized that DNA methylation might regulate their activity. By analyzing methylation patterns of Tf2 elements under pesticide and nutritional stress, we found methylation indeed plays a regulatory role—enhancing our understanding of how BPH adapts and survives under stress.
How do these findings contribute to your research area?
Our study contributes to understanding genome flexibility and rapid adaptation in BPH, offering new insights into how climate change could impact its migration, lifecycle, and population dynamics. This knowledge could guide the development of sustainable pest management strategies and be extended to other important crop pests.
“Our findings can serve as the basis for extending such investigations to other pests of agricultural importance.”
What was the exciting moment during your research?
The entire journey was thrilling. Initially, the idea was vague, but after discussions with my mentor and a deep dive into the literature, we found a promising research direction. There were both highs and lows, but completing the project and seeing it published made it all worthwhile.
What do you hope to do next?
Our lab is now focused on understanding how epigenetic mechanisms contribute to stress resilience in BPH. Personally, I aim to further explore fascinating aspects of insect biology and build a career in plant-insect interaction research.
Where do you seek scientific inspiration from?
My love for science began during my postgraduate studies at the University of Delhi. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and peers who inspired me to pursue research. My PhD supervisor has been a tremendous support and motivator. Additionally, breakthrough research worldwide constantly fuels my curiosity and ambition.
How do you intend to help Indian science improve?
We actively share our findings on public platforms and social media to reach non-scientific audiences. ICGEB also collaborates with the media to promote science. Personally, I want to inspire young minds through teaching, seminars, and workshops. I also plan to write for broader audiences and participate in field activities to bridge the gap between research and farmers—ensuring that our work translates into real-world agricultural improvements. Initiatives like Biopatrika are crucial for fostering scientific communication and nurturing future scientists.
Reference
Ayushi Gupta, Suresh Nair (2021). Methylation patterns of Tf2 retrotransposons linked to rapid adaptive stress response in the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens). Genomics, 113(6), 4214–4226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.11.007
