Metagenomic analysis of phages in the termite gut and potential for application in pest control

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26650158
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Ecology/Environment
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Hongoh Yuichi 東京工業大学, 生命理工学院, 教授 (90392117)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 共生 / 腸内細菌 / 昆虫 / シロアリ / ウイルス / ファージ / ゲノム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Termites feed exclusively on dead plant matter. They play important roles in the global carbon cycle, although they are also destructive pests of wooden buildings. Their ability to digest lignocellulose is mostly attributable to the symbiotic gut microorganisms. In this study, a bacteriophage community that infects the symbiotic gut bacteria was comprehensively analyzed, and specific bacterial hosts of some phages were successfully identified.

Free Research Field

微生物生態学