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Ph.D. 2006 Purdue University
Research Interests:
We are interested in understanding the physiology-driven molecular processes required for insect adaptation in a suite of insect pests that harbor distinct ecological niches and those that inflict damage to agricultural crops and human beings; and to elucidate the role of miRNAs in tissue development/organization. The insect species of interest are: emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella), bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) and the model insect, red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). We are also studying transcriptomics of the phloem of different ash species (Fraxinus spp.). Emerald ash borer and diamond back moth represent major invasive insect pests that inflict damage to forest trees and agricultural crops across North America. On the other hand, the resurgence of bed bugs poses a great concern to human health due to their inherent ability to overcome insecticide resistance. Despite the high impact status associated with each of these insect species, little is known at the molecular-physiology interface.
The overarching goals are:
i) Decipher the genetic make-up of the above-mentioned insect/plant systems. One of the prerequisites for doing functional genomics is to have first-hand information on gene composition of a given system. 454-pyrosequencing has been applied in order to build sufficiently large tissue-specific or whole organism (Expressed Sequence Tag, EST) databases for subsequent gene mining and gene discovery across the systems of interest. My lab is taking a step further in sequencing the emerald ash borer genome in collaboration with the Canadian Forest Service (Sault Ste. Marie, ON).
ii) Unravel the criteria required for adaptation and/or evolution against xenobiotics (plant toxins and synthetic chemicals) at the tissue and organismal levels. Specifically, the midgut and fat body tissues are of high interest as these tissues participate in vital physiological processes such as digestion, antioxidant response, detoxification and immune response. The Illumina platform is being used in order to learn the global gene responses. For example, the midgut and fat body responses of the emerald ash borer body are currently being studied when reared on resistant versus susceptible ash. Similarly, at the organismal level, the genetic basis for insecticide resistance/tolerance in bed bugs and the diamond back moth are being elucidated. With the identification of candidate detoxification or behavioral genes (such as cytochrome P450s and odorant binding proteins), RNAi will be performed in the hope to elucidate the role of key participants in insect adaptation. In addition to the insect responses, we are also studying phloem-specific transcriptomics in different ash tree species. The latter will provide first-hand information on potential host-specific resistance genes to emerald ash borer invasion.
iii) Establish the role of small RNAs in insect/plant adaptation and insect tissue organization. Small RNAs especially those classified as micro RNAs (miRNAs) are thought to play vital roles in modulating gene expression and tissue organization/differentiation. We are using A. planipennis and T. castaneum to study the roles of miRNAs in such processes.
Selected Publications:
DeLay B, Mamidala P, Wijeratne A, Wijeratne S, Mittapalli O, Wang J, Lamp W. Transcriptome analysis of the salivary glands of potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae. Journal of Insect Physiology (in press).
Bansal R, Mian R, Mittapalli O, Michel AP. Molecular characterization and expression analysis of soluble trehalase gene in Aphis glycines, a migratory pest of soybean. Bulletin of Entomological Research (in press).
Bautista MA, Mittapalli O, Hoy CW, Michel AP. Single nucleotide polymorphism discovery in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). Molecular Ecology Resources (in press).
Mittapalli O, Mamidala P, Rajarapu SP. 2012. mRNA profiles of piRNA pathway genes in the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Insect Science 19: 455-460.
Mamidala P, Wijeratne AJ, Wijeratne S, Kornacker K, Sudhamalla B, Rivera-Vega LJ, Hoelmer A, Meulia T, Jones SC, Mittapalli O. 2012. RNA-Seq and molecular docking reveal multi-level pesticide resistance in the bed bug. BMC Genomics 13(1): 6.
Rivera-Vega L, Mamidala P, Koch J, Mason M, Mittapalli O. 2012. Evaluation of reference genes for expression studies in ash (Fraxinus spp.). Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 30: 242-245.
Rajarapu SP, Mamidala P, Mittapalli O. 2012. Validation of reference genes for gene expression studies in emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Insect Science 19: 41-46.
Mamidala P, Jones S, Mittapalli O. 2011. Metabolic resistance in bed bugs. Insects 2: 36-48.
Bai X, Mamidala P, Rajarapu SP, Jones SC, Mittapalli O. 2011. Transcriptomics of the bed bug (Cimex lectularius). PLoS ONE 6(1): e16336.
Mittapalli O., Vega LJR, Michel AP, Shukle RH, Mian R. 2011. Identification of mariner-like elements in the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines. Bulletin of Entomol Research 101: 697-704.
Rajarapu SP, Mamidala P, Herms DA, Bonello P, Mittapalli O. 2011. Antioxidant genes of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis): gene characterization and expression profiles. Journal of Insect physiology 57: 819-824.
Bai X, Rivera-Vega L, Mamidala P, Bonello P, Herms DA, Mittapalli O. 2011. Transcriptomic signatures of ash (Fraxinus spp.) phloem. PLoS ONE 6(1): e16368.
Mamidala P, Jones S, Mittapalli O. 2011. Metabolic resistance in bed bugs. Insects 2(1): 36-48.
Bai X, Mamidala P, Rajarapu SP, Jones SC, Mittapalli O. 2011. Transcriptomics of the bed bug (Cimex lectularius). PLoS ONE 6: e16336.
Mittapalli O, Vega LJR, Michel AP, Shukle RH, Mian R. 2011. Identification of mariner-like elements in the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines. Bulletin of Entomological Research 101: 697-704.
Rajarapu SP, Mamidala P, Herms DA, Bonello P, Mittapalli O. 2011. Antioxidant genes of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis): gene characterization and expression profiles. Journal of Insect physiology 57: 819-824.
Bai X, Rivera-Vega L, Mamidala P, Bonello P, Herms DA, Mittapalli O. 2011. Transcriptomic signatures of ash (Fraxinus spp.) phloem. PLoS ONE 6(1): e16368.
Mittapalli O, Bai X, Rajarapu SP, Mamidala P, Bonello P, Herms DA. 2010. Tissue-specific transcriptomics of the invasive insect pest emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). PLoS ONE 5(10): e13708.
Body Louse Genome Sequencing Consortium 2010. Genome Sequences of the Human Body Louse and its Primary Endosymbiont: Insights into the permanent parasitic lifestyle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA 107: 12168-12173.
Mittapalli O, Neal JJ, Shukle RH. 2007. Antioxidant defense response in a galling insect. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA 104: 1889-1894.
Recent Funding History
Meulia, T., O. Mittapalli, K. Huang, and S. Opiyo. MCIC Galaxy: A Web-based Platform for High-throughput Sequence Data Integration and Analysis. OARDC SEEDS. 2012-2014. $100,000.
Herms, D.A., P. Bonello, O. Mittapalli, D. Cipollini, J. Koch, K. Knight, and T. Poland. An integrated, comprehensive program to develop emerald ash borer resistant ash trees. USDA APHIS National Emerald Ash Borer Accelerated Research and Development Program. 2011-2014. $1,458,827.
Mittapalli, O., A. P. Michel, C.W. Hoy. Molecular characterization of indirect selection for increased susceptibility to insecticides. USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. 2010-2013. $349,865.
Mittapalli, O., and P.M. Piermarini. Conference grant “The Molecular Physiology of Arthropod Vectors and Pests: Towards the development of novel control targets and approaches”. USDA- National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 2011-2013. $10,000.
Michel, A.P., O. Mittapalli , and R.A. Mian. Molecular Dissection of Soybean Aphid Biotypes and Aphid Resistant Soybeans Genes for Controlling Soybean Aphids. North Central Soybean Research Project. 2010-2012. $204,531.
Mittapalli, O. Gene discovery in bed bugs. OARDC SEEDs. 2010-2012. $50,000.
Herms, D.A., P. Bonello, O. Mittapalli, J. Cardina, and R. Taylor. Strategies and tactics for long-term management of emerald ash borer. USDA-NIFA. 2010-2011. $511,868.
Bonello, P., D.A. Herms, D. Cipollini, and O. Mittapalli. Exploring the nature of ash resistance to the emerald ash borer. USDA APHIS. 2008-2012. $877,609. |
