飞蝗的群居型和散居型间的相互转变是表型可塑性的典型特征，也是形成蝗灾的重要基础。两型转变的分子机理研究对于解析表型可塑性和蝗灾治理起到重要作用。本实验室在飞蝗两型转变机理研究方面积累了大量的组学数据，包括基因组和转录组。通过整合多个样品的基因表达数据，我们初步构建了飞蝗的转录调控网络。但是，转录因子和行为学的直接关系、转录因子调控的靶基因等都还不十分清楚。因此，在本项目中，我们拟1）通过RNAi干扰候选转录因子，并结合行为学观测和转录组测序的方法挑选影响两型的转录因子；2）通过高通量指数富集配体系统进化技术（HT-SELEX），进行候选转录因子结合特异性分析，并从头开发一套基于HT-SELEX数据来检测转录因子调控的靶位点的软件，此类软件还未见有公布；3）通过整合的方法，构建飞蝗两型的转录调控网络；4）利用EMSA、RNAi、CRISP/CAS9等技术对获得的转录调控关系进行验证和功能研究

The transition between the gregarious and solitarious locust is a key behavior feature of phenotypic plasticity and fundamental for locusts’ agricultural damage. The study of molecular mechanism of phase transition is important for locust management. Our lab has accumulated lots of Omics data, including genome and transcriptome, on the molecular mechanism of locust phase difference. Through data integration of the data from various samples, we have constructed a transcriptional regulatory network. However, the relationship between the transcription factor and the behavior, and the target of the TF genes are still unclear. So, at this project, we want to 1) select about 20 transcription factors, and further select 10 of them according to the behavior changing after the transcription factors were knocked down. 2) HT-SELEX (high throughput systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) technology will be used to characterize the binding specificity of the selected transcription factors, one software package will be developed to identify the binding target site based on the HT-SELEX data. 3) The transcriptional regulatory network will be constructed based on the data integration. 4) Technologies, such as EMSA, RNAi and CRISP/CAS9, will be used to validate the regulating relationship and the function of the genes identified in the network. By doing this, we hope to get new and further understanding of the locust phase change regulation.