B. S., Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, NE.

Research interests

Ichnoviruses are a group of insect viruses that are obligate symbionts with several parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae.The most studied ichnovirus has been that associated with the parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis (CsIV).CsIV virions contain multiple double-stranded superhelical DNA segments that originate from the excision and replication of proviral DNA in the calyx cells of the female wasp.Excision, replication, and packaging of proviral DNA is restricted to the calyx tissue of female wasps and is initiated just prior to pupal eclosion.During oviposition into a susceptible host, female wasps inject an egg, CsIV virions, calyx fluid, and venom.CsIV virions infect host cells (primarily fat body and hemocytes) causing an alteration of host physiology by means of gene expression to permit successful parasitization and survival of wasp progeny.Expression of viral genes can be detected as soon as two hours post- parasitization and continues throughout the course of parasitization.To date, there have been three gene families described within CsIV due to similarities in sequence, protein structure, and function.These include the cys-motif, rep, and vinnexin gene families.Sequence analysis of the completed genome identified a new gene family within CsIV characterized by protein sequences that carry similarity to the ankyrin repeat domains of the Drosophila dorsal/NF-kb transcription factor inhibitor cactus, a member of the Ik-b gene family.Members of the Ik-b gene family function in the regulation of signal transduction pathways involving the Nf-kb family of transcription factors.My research focuses on the isolation and functional characterization of this novel gene family in CsIV.Specific aims of my research include:

1. The analysis of temporal RNA and protein expression patterns for members of the Ik-b related gene family in CsIV.

2. The analysis of viral protein stability and localization patterns in infected host tissues.

3. Identification of viral protein functions and their significance in the successful parasitization of lepidopteran hosts by C. sonorensis wasps.
 

Memberships

1.Entomological Society of America.2001-2002

2.American Society for Virology.2002

Honors, Awards, and Presentations

1.1997-1999 Book waiver recipient.University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) Honors Program.

2.1997-2000 Board of Regents scholarship recipient.UNK.

3.1997-2000 UNK Honors Program member.

4.1997-2000 Dean’s list, UNK.

5.2000 Oral presentation of organic chemistry research on use of Reike Zinc as a reducing agent.Nebraska Academy of Sciences Meeting, Lincoln, NE.

6.2000 UNK Research Services Council undergraduate research grant recipient.

7.2000 Poster presentation of research on anal and oral secretions of the burying beetle Nicrophorus marginatus.National Council for Undergraduate Research meeting.Lexington, KY.

8.2001-present In state tuition scholarship recipient, University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology.Lexington, KY.

9.2001-present Out of state tuition scholarship recipient, University of Kentucky, Graduate School.Lexington, KY.

10.2001-present Graduate Research Assistant, University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology.Lexington, KY.

11.2002 Poster presentation, American Society for Virology meeting. Lexington, KY:“Isolation and Functional Characterization of Putative Dorsal/NF-kb Inhibitor (Cactus/I-kb) Homologs Identified on Segments P and I2 of the Campoletis sonorensis Ichnovirus (CsIV) Genome.”

Laboratory.

Dr. Bruce Webb