Genetic basis of caste determination in eusocial Hymenoptera

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18626
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Ecology/Environment
• Research Institution: Utsunomiya University (2017); Gifu University (2016)
• Principal Investigator: Misato Miyakawa (岡本) 宇都宮大学, バイオサイエンス教育研究センター, 学振特別研究員 (00648082)
• Research Collaborator: MIYAKAWA Hitoshi 宇都宮大学, バイオサイエンス教育研究センター, 准教授 (30631436) ; SUZUKI Tomohiro 宇都宮大学, バイオサイエンス教育研究センター, 准教授 (30631436)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 社会性昆虫 / カースト決定機構

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Understanding the caste determination mechanisms is critical topics in sociobiology. Using high-throughput sequencing technologies, differential gene expression patterns between castes (queens and workers) have been well studied. However, it is difficult to detect responsible genes because caste destinies of individuals used for these analyses are already decided. For comprehensive understanding of caste determination mechanisms, we have developed protocols for comparative gene expression analysis, histological study and measuring juvenile hormone tilter at each castes and developmental stages using ants with genetic caste determination system.

Free Research Field

社会生物学