Working group Prof. Dr. Susanne Dobler
Welcome
Phytophagous insects represent the largest radiation in terrestrial ecosystems. We focus on how speciation in herbivorous insects is linked to shifts in host plants and to adaptations to the numerous defensive plant compounds. To understand how insect herbivores can tolerate the toxic compounds of their host plants we combine molecular, physiological and chemical analyses. This experimental approach enables us to trace how detoxification systems and tolerance mechanisms evolve.
Our main focus lies on the genetic basis of adaptations, which we investigate by transcriptome analyses, single gene expression in cell culture followed by a functional characterization, and genetic knock-down experiments with phenotypic screening.