ABSTRACT

Insect pathogens are among the many emerging infectious diseases resulting from human interventions and contributing to their impact. The radiating fungal genus Metarhizium has become a model for natural as well as anthropogenic dispersal scenarios, and for studies into the adaptive differences by which novel pathogens emerge and form. In large part these studies were driven by the desire to deploy genetically modified Metarhizium strains targeting insect vectors of disease. Many issues in human health and agriculture have potential biotech solutions but to use these tools safely and effectively requires an understanding of their evolutionary potential and invasion ecology, and means for predicting the consequences of different types of human intervention (habitat fragmentation, climate change, invasive species, and genetically modified introductions).

About the Speaker:

Raymond J. St. Leger is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland, College Park. St. Leger has published > 200 scientific papers and book chapters on fungal pathogens of plants, animals and insects. St. Leger’s dominating research interest has been directed toward using fungal parasites of insects as models for understanding how pathogens in general respond to changing environments, initiate host invasion, colonize tissues, and counter host immune responses. These investigations have also addressed the mechanisms by which new pathogens emerge with different host ranges. St. Leger's laboratory have altered insect pathogens so that they carry genes encoding spider and scorpion toxins. The potential of these engineered pathogens to control insect borne diseases such as malaria, is currently being trialed in Burkina Faso. Other interests include fungal and insect behavior and evolution, molecular biology of fungi, pest control and mutualistic associations between microbes and plants that can be exploited to benefit agriculture.