飞蝗群居和散居型衰老特征差异及分子机制

群体和社会中，个体间的互作对于动物衰老速率和方式具有重要影响，但调控机制仍待深入阐述。相比于果蝇、线虫等衰老模式物种，飞蝗具有密度依赖的表型可塑性。高密度发育成群居型而低密度则发育成散居型，而且群居型飞蝗的寿命显著短于散居型，这为阐释群体衰老效应的机制提供了良好的模式系统。本项目中，在鉴定群居和散居型飞蝗差异衰老表型的基础上，我们拟进一步通过转录组确定关键的差异衰老基因和通路，并利用基因编辑技术等手段实现对于飞蝗衰老速率的调控，从而揭示群居环境对于飞蝗衰老特征的影响和具体调控通路。本项目的实施将深化对群体衰老效应的理解。

In groups and society, the interaction between individuals has an important impact on the rate and mode of animal aging, but the regulatory mechansims still unclear, Compared with aging model species such as fruit flies and nematodes, the migratory locusts have density-dependent phenotypic plasticity. Depending on the population density, locusts develop two phases, namely, solitary and gregarious phases. The gregarious locusts formed under high population density have a remarkable shorter lifespan than solitary ones. This is an ideal model for exploration of aging effects of group living. In this project, based on the characterization of the different aging phenotypes between gregarious and solitary locusts, we plan to further determine the key regulatory genes and pathways underlying phase-specific aging, and regulate locust aging by using gene editing technology. The aim of these work is to reveal the effects of group living on locust aging and the underlying regulatory mechanisms. This project will provide insights into understanding the mechanisms underlying the regulation of group living on aging.