Using DNA Sequences to Determine the Geographic Origins of Agriculturally Important Invasive Leafmining Flies

The increased global movement of people and goods has resulted in introduction of agricultural pests into new areas. Understanding the patterns and processes of colonization by introduced species is crucial in planning interventions and management strategies. However, determining the origin and colonization patterns of invasive species can be difficult. Molecular markers such as DNA sequence data can help determine the history of movement by an invasive species. Liriomyza huidobrensis is a leafmining fly that feeds within leaf tissue of crops, including potatoes and beans. Although native to South America, it has spread throughout the world and is of great concern. Understanding the origin and pathways of dispersion can determine the means of spread, possibly leading to the development of interception and control programs. We analyzed 2125 base pairs of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase genes (COI & COII) in a phylogeographic approach to uncover distribution of genetic variation of L. huidobrensis. Our phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial COI and COII found substantial geographic structure within L. huidobrensis in its native range, but almost none within and between invasive populations around the world.The data suggest that the invasive populations trace to the Peru/Ecuador region. We are collecting additional data to test this hypothesis.

Nicholas Rogers, who graduated in December 2015 and worked in the Blaney Lab, was selected to receive a 2016 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Fellowship. Nick's proposal focused on using excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to identify leaking wastewater infrastructure in urban settings.  His selection was based on his demonstrated potential to contribute to strengthening the vitality of the U.S. science and engineering enterprise.  

• Candidate should be a full-time, degree-seeking student at UMBC, enrolled in her/his sophomore year with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Candidate will be required to submit a resume and an unofficial transcript.
• Candidate should submit a 500-word essay explaining actions that she/he has participated in that have contributed to improving the lives of Baltimore City youth.

Application Materials can be submitted to:

Application Deadline:

Questions?

Contact Lori Hardesty at lhardesty@umbc.edu

UMBC exemplifies a statewide trend of ramping up efforts to help faculty and students turn their research into commercial products and companies, supporting emerging entrepreneurs and boosting the state’s economy, The Baltimore Sun reports.

The article, which also appeared in The Washington Post, highlights new technologies developed by UMBC’s Nilanjan Banerjee and Ryan Robucci ‘02, computer engineering, both assistant professors of computer science and electrical engineering (CSEE). Banerjee and Robucci, as well as Chintan Patel ‘04 Ph.D., computer engineering, research assistant professor of CSEE, and their research students have worked with university and state officials to commercialize two wearable sensors that they developed in their ECLIPSE research cluster. The support the team received included guidance in obtaining grants, patenting the technology, and creating a viable business.

One sensor, RestEaze, non-intrusively monitors a person’s sleep quality in a home setting by tracking leg movements, and may help to diagnose restless leg syndrome, ADHD or cardiac issues. It is being developed in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, with funding from the TEDCO Innovation Commercialization Program as part of the Maryland Innovation Initiative.

The other sensor, Inviz, is a gesture recognition system that helps people with limited mobility complete everyday tasks, such as turning on the TV or a light, and be prepared for emergencies, with the ability to call 911. It uses low-cost flexible sensors that can be embedded in clothing or other fabric, and is supported by NSF and Microsoft.

UMBC is increasingly encouraging researchers to focus on commercializing their discoveries and research, Banerjee explained. “It’s one of our responsibilities to make sure we have a societal impact, and commercializing is one way of doing it,” he said in the article.

Read the full article “Maryland universities ramp up efforts to help students, faculty create companies” in The Washington Post and in The Baltimore Sun.

Image: Nilanjan Banerjee and Ryan Robucci in a lab. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.