Tissue-specific gene expression of ancient bacterial symbionts in a sharpshooter leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellinae)

Differential gene expression experiment of beneficial bacteria in the pestiferous insect, Homalodisca vitripennis (Hemipter: Cicadellidae). H. vitripennis relies on two bacteria for essential nutrition. The genomic and functional integration of these organisms and the host insect remains poorly understood. Our project aims to understand what cellular activities the bacteria perform in different host tissues that they infect. This will provide a better understanding of what other types of services and functions symbiotic bacteria perform in animal hosts.