CAREER: Ontogenetic changes in tracheal system structure and function in larval insects

昆虫是地球上数量最多、种类最多的动物，当它们从孵化到成年时，体重可能会增加200到10,000倍。尽管昆虫的体重增加必须有更多的氧气来支持，但昆虫的呼吸系统（气管系统）只有在昆虫蜕皮时才会增加。该研究项目的总体目标是确定生长中的昆虫如何使氧气供应与不断增加的氧气需求相匹配。几种机制是可能的。例如，较大的昆虫可能有更多或更大的气管，或者它们可能呼吸得更快。此外，较大的昆虫可能会改变细胞或基因表达模式，从而改变氧气供应或需求。为了表征呼吸结构和功能的变化，这些研究将采用分子生物学和整体动物生理学的工具。这些研究的结果可能有助于开发非杀虫剂昆虫控制方法，因为大气气体的操纵对于控制谷物储存，温室和博物馆收藏中的昆虫越来越重要。此外，了解氧气供应和需求之间的关系将有助于解释古生代巨型昆虫的出现，因为增加的氧气供应被假设为推动了这一现象。为了促进这项研究，来自北达科他州州立大学和密西西比河谷州立大学（一所历史上的黑人大学）的本科研究人员将参加一个夏季研究项目。学生将在NDSU协助数据收集，并陪同首席研究员到阿贡国家实验室使用先进光子源的同步加速器X射线对昆虫气管系统进行成像。这一教育部分将增加代表性不足的学生参与研究，并将有助于招募学生从事科学事业。一个在线指导小组将为学生提供支持，并提供评估该计划有效性的方法。该研究计划的科学组成部分和教育组成部分共同促进发现和理解，同时促进教学，培训和学习。

Insects are the most numerous and diverse animals on the planet and, as they grow from a hatchling to an adult, body mass may increase 200 to 10,000 fold. Although increasing mass must be supported by more oxygen, the insect respiratory system (the tracheal system) increases in size only when the insect molts. The overall goal of this research project is determine how growing insects match oxygen supply to increasing oxygen demand. Several mechanisms are possible. For example, larger insects may have more or larger tracheae or they may breathe faster. In addition, larger insects may change cellular or gene expression patterns that alter oxygen supply or demand. To characterize changes in respiratory structure and function, the studies will employ tools from molecular biology and whole animal physiology. The results of these studies may help to develop non-pesticide methods of insect control, as manipulation of atmospheric gases is increasingly important for controlling insects in grain storage, greenhouses, and museum collections. In addition, understanding the relationship between oxygen supply and demand will help to explain the appearance of gigantic insects in the Paleozoic era, as increased oxygen supply is hypothesized to have driven this phenomenon. Contributing to this research, undergraduate researchers from North Dakota State University and Mississippi Valley State University, a Historically Black University, will participate in a summer research program. Students will assist in data collection at NDSU and accompany the principal investigator to Argonne National Laboratory to image the insect tracheal systems using synchrotron x-rays at the Advanced Photon Source. This educational component will increase participation of underrepresented students in research and will help recruit students to science careers. An online mentoring group will provide support to students and provide a means for assessing the efficacy of this program. Together the scientific components and educational components of this research program serve to advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training and learning.