Ping Wang

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.