The evolution of lateral gene transfers from bacteria to animals

细菌之间的DNA和基因交换是常见的，例如，有助于在不同的细菌病原体之间传播抗生素耐药性。相比之下，直到最近，从细菌到动物(包括昆虫)的基因转移被认为是罕见和不重要的。昆虫的完整DNA序列的数量正在迅速增长，这表明微生物和昆虫之间的基因转移实际上很常见。其中一些转移已经成为具有功能的昆虫基因，可能会赋予这些昆虫新的生化能力。这项研究的目的是回答两个基本问题：1)细菌基因转移在昆虫中的功能是什么；2)插入的细菌序列是如何成为活跃的昆虫基因的？为了解决这些问题，对来自不同昆虫的完整DNA序列进行了检查，以寻找细菌起源的候选者。然后使用分子方法确认候选基因，并使用遗传方法敲除基因来检查它们的功能。还会检查序列，以评估它们是如何改变的，以允许昆虫中的基因激活。该项目的更广泛影响涉及科学和教育，并包括对虫害控制的影响。例如，设计用来作用于在害虫中发现的细菌获得的昆虫基因的杀虫剂，可能对其他物种几乎没有毒性影响。该项目还具有重大的教育推广意义，包括与地区社区学院的教育工作者合作，通过研讨会和研究实习为社区学院的学生开发基于发现的机会。

The exchange of DNA and genes among bacteria is common and contributes, for example, to the spread of antibiotic resistance between different bacterial pathogens. In contrast, until recently gene transfer from bacteria to animals (including insects) was believed to be rare and unimportant. The number of complete DNA sequences for insects is rapidly growing and these have revealed that gene transfers between microbes and insects are actually common. Some of these transfers have become functional insect genes, potentially giving those insects new biochemical capabilities. The goals of this research are to answer two basic questions: 1) What are the functions of bacterial gene transfers in insects and 2) How do inserted bacterial sequences become active insect genes? To address these questions, the complete DNA sequences from different insects are examined for candidates of bacterial origin. The candidates are then confirmed using molecular approaches, and their functions are examined by knocking out the genes using genetic methods. Sequences are also examined to evaluate how they have changed to allow for activation of the gene in the insect. Broader impacts of this project involve science and education, and include implications for pest control. For example, pesticides designed to act on bacterially acquired insect genes found in a pest will likely have few toxic effects on other species. The project also has significant education outreach, which includes working with educators at regional community colleges to develop discovery based opportunities for community college students through workshops and research internships.