Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Boland
Molecular principles stabilizing functional microbial communities in the insect gut

Abstract
Microbial communities in the insect gut (Lepidoptera) live in extreme pH conditions (pH 10.5) and are additionally influenced by the ingested diet. The pH interferes with microbial quorum sensing by cleavage of homoserine lactones and related compounds. The products are further degraded by microbial and insect-derived enzymes. On the other hand, microbial products contribute to the feeding process of the insect by induction of (defense) responses in the attacked plant (Ping et al. 2007, Environm. Microbiol., online). The complex interaction between the insect, plant, and microorganisms will be studied at the genetic and molecular level to understand the principles and compounds that dynamically generate functional communities. State-of-the-art analytical techniques will be used to profile the communities (FISH, DGGE), their metabolites (HPLC-MSn, GC-MS, MALDI-TOF) along with the microbial or insect-derived proteins. The impact of lacking quorum sensing and the effects of other bioactive compounds will be studied using microarrays of selected microorganisms.

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