My research is centered on the understanding of biochemical and molecular basis of insect midgut physiology and interactions of the midgut with insecticidal toxins. Our research objectives are multifaceted, aiming at the understanding of important physiological and defensive mechanisms in the midgut and identifying novel target sites for insect control.
Current research projects are focused on identification and functional understanding of midgut genes and their protein products involved in the pathways of toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins, and molecular genetics of resistance to Bt toxins in a lepidopteran, Trichoplusia ni. We use biochemical and molecular approaches, genomic and proteomic technologies, and insect genetic manipulation techniques in our projects. The long term objectives of research include elucidation of defense and resistance mechanisms of insects against insecticidal chemicals and microbial pathogens, identification of new insect target sites (mechanisms) and development of novel strategies for insect control with the knowledge obtained from our basic studies.
For graduate study and postdoctoral research opportunities, please contact Ping Wang at pingwang [at] cornell.edu (pingwang[at]cornell[dot]edu). We also have summer research opportunities for undergraduate students. For information and application, please contact Ping Wang pingwang [at] cornell.edu (pingwang[at]cornell[dot]edu) or visit the website of our Summer Research Scholars Program.
Selected Publications
Ma, X., Shao, E., Chen, W., Cotto-Rivera, R., Yang, X., Kain, W., Fei, Z. and Wang, P. (2021) Bt Cry1Ac resistance in Trichoplusia ni is conferred by multi-gene mutations. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.1036
Wang, S. and Wang, P. (2020) Functional redundancy of structural proteins of the peritrophic membrane in Trichoplusia ni. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 125, 103456.
Yang, X., Chen, W., Song, X., Ma, X., Cotto-Rivera, R. O., Kain, W., Chu, H., Chen, Y., Fei, Z. and Wang, P. (2019) Mutation of ABC transporter ABCA2 confers resistance to Bt toxin Cry2Ab in Trichoplusia ni. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 112, 103209.
Chen, W., Yang, X., Tetreau, G., Song, X., Coutu, C., Hegedus, D., Blissard, G., Fei, Z. and Wang, P. (2019) A high‐quality chromosome‐level genome assembly of a generalist herbivore, Trichoplusia ni. Molecular Ecology Resources, 19: 485-496
Wang, S., Kain, W. and Wang, P. (2018) Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A toxins exert toxicity by multiple pathways in insects. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 102: 59-66.
Tetreau, G., Wang, R. and Wang, P. (2017) Fitness of Bt-resistant cabbage loopers on Bt-cotton plants. Plant Biotechnology Journal 15: 1322-1330.
Wang, R., Tetreau, G. and Wang, P. (2016) Effect of crop plants on fitness costs associated with resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab in cabbage loopers. Scientific Reports 6: 20959.
Song, X., Kain, W., Cassidy, D. and Wang, P. (2015) Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry2Ab in Trichoplusia ni is conferred by a novel genetic mechanism. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 81: 5184-5195.
Tiewsiri, K. and Wang, P. (2011) Differential alteration of two aminopeptidases N associated with resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac in cabbage looper. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108: 14037-14042.
Baxter, S. W., Badenes-Pérez, F. R., Morrison, A., Vogel, H., Crickmore, N., Kain, W., Wang, P., Heckel, D. G. and Jiggins, C. D. (2011) Parallel evolution of Bacillus thuringiensis toxin resistance in Lepidoptera. Genetics, 189: 675–679.
