Soumi Bhattacharyya

Phd Thesis started in 2023
Molecular regulation of bacterial endosymbionts in grain pest beetles
Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Biologie
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Martin Kaltenpoth

PhD Thesis started in August 2023

Molecular mechanism of host-endosymbiont regulation in saw-toothed grain pest beetles

Supervisors - Dr Martin Kaltenpoth, Dr. Tobias Engl

Saw-toothed grain pest beetles, (Oryzaephilus surinamensis), harbor bacterial endosymbionts in specialized organs called bacteriome, that help the beetle to synthesize a very thick and robust cuticular exoskeleton and in defense against biotic and abiotic factors. However, to maintain the metabolic cost, the beetles are capable of eliminating the symbionts according to its physiological needs. I am investigating the molecular mechanism by which the host beetle regulates the symbiont population. I manipulate the diet of beetles to increase or decrease the symbiont population and understand how availability of certain metabolites can affect the symbiont population and host's phenotype. Using molecular and bioinformatics approach, I finally aim to decipher the signalling pathway used by host beetle to regulate endosymbiont population.