Combining transcriptomics and behaviour assays to identify adapations of insects to shifts in ambient climate.

Insects have a significant role in maintaining the ecological balance of ecosystems and are part of the pollinator, pest and disease vector populations. As poikilotherm animals they are sensitive to temperature and humidity levels, controlling key aspects of their lives.

Changes in global climate have been associated with an extension of home ranges to northern latitudes and higher altitudes, causing disruptions in existing ecosystems, and threatening global health and food safety.I propose to combine genetic and behavioural studies to monitor micro-evolutionary processes in response to temperature and humidity changes, using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.To study genetic adaptations, I will perform a transcriptomic analysis of the thermo- and hygrosensory neuron populations using single nuclei RNA sequencing after exposing D. melanogaster to changes in temperature and humidity levels on a short- and long-term scale.

To link genes to function I will make use of the FlyMAD system, allowing the manipulation of neuronal populations in freely walking flies, using a highly focussed laser beam.

I will further run a comparative transcriptomic study of selected Drosophila species to establish which genes are determining their preferred climate conditions linked to home ranges.The combined results will establish a timeline for adaptations to shifts in temperature and humidity levels, generating essential information for the precise modelling of climate change impacts.