In the lab of insect molecular physiology, Kyungpook national university, we are studying insect physiology with molecular biological tools. First research interest is the comparison study on the physiological differences between two taxonomically close flies, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila suzukii being adapted to fermented and fresh fruits, respectively. We are also studying the non-neuronal function of soluble acetylcholinesterase and its specific roles in insect sociality. For the climate change vector surveillance center project, we are monitoring the population of ticks and mosquitoes in Gyeongbuk region and detecting the pathogens in the host arthropods. In addition, we are investigating the genes encoding acetylcholinesterase and voltage-sensitive sodium channel in Hemaphysalis longicornis and the point mutations putatively involved in pesticide resistance.

In order to understand biological phenomena accurately, single molecule techniques using a physical research approach to molecular interactions have been developed, and are now widely being used to study complex biological processes. In this review, we discuss some of the single molecule methods which are composed of two major parts: single molecule spectroscopy and manipulation. In particular, we explain how these techniques work and introduce the current research which uses them. Finally, we present the oral biology research using the single molecule methods.

Herbivorous insects use plant metabolites to inform their host plant selection for oviposition. These host-selection behaviors are often consistent with the preference-performance hypothesis; females oviposit on hosts that maximize the performance of their offspring. However, the metabolites used for these oviposition choices and those responsible for differences in offspring performance remain unknown for ecologically-relevant interactions. In this time, I will talk about the host-selection behaviors of two sympatric weevils, the Datura (Trichobaris compacta) and tobacco (T. mucorea) weevils in field- and glasshouse-experiments with transgenic host plants specifically altered indifferent components of their secondary metabolism. In addition, I will show that adult females are able to choose the best host plant for their offspring and use chemicals different from those that influence larval performance to inform their oviposition decisions.