Insectary for Scientific Training and Advances in Research (InSTAR) Core

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PROJECT SUMMARY - Insectary for Scientific Training and Advances in Research (InSTAR) Invertebrates provide excellent model systems to study the interactions between hosts and their microbiota. These invertebrate models advance our understanding of the impact of microbial symbionts on host development, metabolism, immune function, and overall system health, and produce generalizable information that informs human health. In addition, the symbiotic microbes of invertebrates have direct impacts on public health as microbial symbionts influence the survival, development, cellular function, and immunity of pest species and disease vectors that contribute significantly to the global public health burden. The central objective of this proposal is to further develop a core facility that will enable the use of arthropods to study the environmental microbiome at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. During Phase 1, the InSTAR established a unique collection of laboratory colonies for medically relevant mosquito vectors and Hawaiian Drosophila species, and established the only BSL-2/ACL-2 space to work with potentially dangerous insects in a laboratory setting in the state of Hawai‘i. The core also provided critical infrastructure for three former RPLs, and continues to support the independent research programs for two of those RPLs. During the next cycle of this CoBRE award, the InSTAR will i) provide infrastructure to support the research of two new Phase II RPLs, ii) establish a greater diversity of insect models in colony, with a special focus on Hawaiian Drosophila sp., iii) establish space to utilize for rearing only to allow a greater diversity of research activities in the non-rearing sections of the InSTAR core, and iv) coordinate with State, Federal, and academic groups to expand the InSTAR’s user base. Over the long term, the core will continue to facilitate medical entomology in the State of Hawai‘i, increasing the capacity to respond to public health threats imposed by invertebrates. In addition, it will promote research toward developing new model systems focusing on unique native Hawaiian invertebrate species, and serve as a resource that facilitates access to Hawaii‘s unique biodiversity to the global research community.