Insect Cold-Hardiness and Diapause: Regulatory Relationships

这项研究的目的是为了更好地了解昆虫用来越冬的生理生化机制。这个项目将使用肉蝇Sarcophaga crassipalpis作为昆虫模型。实验将集中在滞育、冬季休眠状态和昆虫冷硬化机制之间的关系。将特别注意神经内分泌系统在提高耐寒性的调节中的作用。冷冻显微镜将被用来确定由于低温暴露而造成的细胞损伤的性质，以及冷冻保护剂甘油在防止这种类型的损伤中的作用。将评估热冲击和快速冷硬化响应之间的关系。虽然这项研究旨在增加我们对低温生存的基本了解，但从这项研究中获得的信息可能会为未来开发新的农业害虫控制方法提供指导。例如，如果有可能防止或阻止害虫的冷硬化过程，这些物种将无法在冬季暴露在低温下生存。

The purpose of this study is to better understand the physiological and biochemical mechanisms used by insects to survive the winter. The flesh fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis, will be used as the insect model for this project. Experimentation will focus on the relationship between diapause, a state of winter dormancy, and mechanisms of insect cold-hardening. Particular attention will be paid to the role of the neuroendocrine system in the regulation of increased cold tolerance. Cryomicroscopy will be used to define the nature of cellular injury due to low temperature exposure and the role of the cryoprotectant glycerol in preventing this type of injury. The relationship between the heat shock and the rapid cold-hardening response will be evaluated. Although this study is designed to increase our basic understanding of low temperature survival, the information gained from this research may provide leads for the future development of new approaches to the control of agricultural pests. For example, if it were possible to prevent or block the cold-hardening process in insect pests, these species would be unable to survive exposure to low temperatures during the winter season.