Claudia Husseneder

Associate Professor

Molecular biology of Formosan Subterranean Termites/Microbial Gut Flora

EMAIL: chusseneder@agcenter.lsu.edu

DEGREES: B.S. 1990 University of Bayreuth, Germany
                M.S. 1994 University of Bayreuth, Germany
                Ph.D. 1998 University of Bayreuth, Germany
                Post-doc 1998-2003 University of Hawaii

Current Research Interests

The Formosan subterranean termite is an invasive wood-destroying pest species, which causes billions of dollars in economical damage in the southeastern U.S., especially in Louisiana. My program utilizes molecular methods (gene expression studies, microsatellite genotyping, 16S sequencing, and genetic engineering) to provide knowledge about the biology of the Formosan subterranean termite and the ecology of its symbiotic gut flora. Based on this knowledge I generate new information on termite biology and develop novel approaches to termite control, e.g., using genetically engineered gut symbionts to deliver and express foreign genes in termite colonies.

In particular my research program combines two main aspects:

(1) Population genetics and gene expression in the Formosan subterranean termite:
Identification of colonies of subterranean termites is necessary to assess treatment success, identify residual activity after treatment and sources of re-infestation and to assess the survival of termites after catastrophes, such as the flooding of New Orleans after Katrina. In addition, sources of introduction and ways of spread can be traced by assessing the relatedness between colonies. This research provides information for the legislature, the pest control industry and homeowners on issues, such as prevention of termite spread, success of area-wide treatment, and re-infestation potential.

Investigation of the plasticity of the termite colonies’ breeding system contributes to advances in the theories of development and maintenance of eusociality in termites, elucidates invasion success of this exotic termite and sheds light on the impact of the breeding system on treatment success and vice versa.

Increased knowledge about swarming behavior, inbreeding avoidance and mate selection strategies of this invasive termite species may spark new ideas on how to disrupt the spread of this urban pest.

Gene expression studies and gene silencing in different developmental stages of the Formosan subterranean termite and in the termite gut will lead to discovery of important genes and pathways and may lead to novel avenues of termite control.

(2) Microbial diversity and ecology of the termite gut and genetic engineering of gut bacteria for termite control:
The survival of the Formosan subterranean termite is dependent on its gut flora in many ways. The knowledge obtained from my workgroup’s studies improves understanding of the microbial ecology of the termite gut and is expected to aid in the development of tools and targets for termite control.

By investigating the ecology of such an exotic ecosystem as the termite gut an amazing diversity of bacteria was discovered. The majority were novel species, which belonged to specific lineages only found in termites. Bacteria were isolated and identified that play important roles in the termites’ nutrition, such as bacteria able to produce vitamin B 12 and to fix nitrogen. Although the bacterial community of the Formosan subterranean termite differs from colony to colony, between different geographic regions, and with regards to the diet of the termites, several bacteria species were present in most of the investigated termite colonies, and are thus in all likelihood an obligate symbiont. Some of these bacteria species have been cultured, and are ideal candidates for paratransgenesis to achieve termite control. We are genetically engineering these termite specific gut bacteria to deliver and express detrimental genes in termite colonies. Genetically engineered termite specific bacteria can in the future serve as self perpetuating, self replicating biological agents for termite control. A fast and cost effective product that is easily introduced and transferred in a termite colony and specifically eliminates termite colonies using a minimum of pesticide application will reduce the cost for termite control and damage repair for homeowners, taxpayers and the State of Louisiana.

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Photography:

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Courses:

Summer 2006: Biotechnology Education of Students and Teachers (BEST) program. Project title: “Genetic engineering of termite gut bacteria” (duration: one month, 4 full days/week).

Summer 2006: Biotechnology Education of Students and Teachers (BEST) program. Project title: “Identification of colonies of the Red imported fire ant using microsatellite genotyping ” (duration: one month, 4 full days/week).

Summer 2005: Biotechnology Education of Students and Teachers (BEST) program. Project title: “Dynamics of microbial diversity of the termite gut depending on rearing conditions and nutrition” (duration: one month, 4 full days/week).

Spring and Fall 2005: BIOL 3999. Independent Research. 3 credit hours (3 students)

Summer 2004: ENTM 7008. Special Topics in Entomology: Culture-independent techniques to identify insect symbionts. 3 credit hours.

Summer 2004: Biotechnology Education of Students and Teachers (BEST) program. Project title: “Microbial diversity of the termite gut” (duration: one month, 4 full days/week).

Guest Lectures :

Fall 2006: Lab tour for ENTM 7001

Summer 2006: Paratransgenesis in termites (BEST summer program)

Fall 2005: Insect Sociality (BIOL 4154, Invertebrate Zoology, Biological Sciences)

Summer 2005: Microbial diversity in the termite gut (BEST summer program)

Summer 2004: Sequencing termite gut bacteria (BEST summer program)

Fall 2003: Insect Sociality – Basics and Theory (Insect Behavior, Dept. of Entomology)

1999-02: Guest lectures: Foundation of Entomology, General Entomology, Systematic Entomology

1990-96: Teaching assistant in the undergraduate lab course in Animal Physiology

Invited Speaker:

1. Husseneder, C., Sethi, A., Colby, D. and Lang, P. 2009. Biotechnologies in Entomology. Seminar at the Center for Biotechnology / Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.
2. Husseneder, C., Sethi, A., Colby, D. and Lang, P. 2009. Emerging biotechnologies and their potential to control termites and other urban pests. Seminar at the Dept. of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.
3. Husseneder, C., Sethi, A., Colby, D. and Lang, P. 2009. Emerging biotechnologies in social insect biology and control. Southeastern Branch meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Montgomery, Alabama.
4. Husseneder, C., Vargo E. L. 2008. Breeding system, dispersal and mate choice in the Formosan subterranean termite. XXIII International Congress of Entomology, Durban, South Africa.
5. 2008. A novel approach to managing invasive termite species using genetically engineered bacteria. SERDP&ESTCP Sustainable Infrastructure Focus Area, Washington, DC.
6. Husseneder, C. 2007. DNA profiles for colony identification of termites. Workshop for IPM training of researchers under the Global Environmental Facility Project – Demonstrations of Alternatives to Chlordane and Mirex in Termite Control organized by the Stockholm Implementation Office of State Environmental Protection Administration of China and the World Bank. Haikou, China.
7. Husseneder, C., Collier, R. E., Colby, D. 2007. Genetic manipulation and its potential for control of termites and other urban pests. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, San Diego, California.
8. Husseneder, C., Collier, R. E., Foil, L. D. 2007. Paratransgenesis for termite control-constructing the enemy within. International Congress of Insect Biotechnology & Industry, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
9. Husseneder, C. and Collier, R. E. 2007. Paratransgenesis for termite control-constructing the enemy within. Seminar at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
10. Husseneder, C., and Simms, D. M. 2007. Dispersal and partner selection in the Formosan subterranean termite. Pacific Entomology Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii.
11. Husseneder, C. 2007. Termite symbiosis – bugs in bugs. Seminar at University of Hawaii at Manoa (Honolulu, Hawaii).
12. Husseneder, C., and Simms, D. M. 2006. Partner selection and inbreeding avoidance in Formosan subterranean termites: International Union for the Study of Social Insects (Washington, D.C.).
13. Husseneder, C. 2006.  Partner selection in termites. Seminar at University of California, Riverside (2006, Riverside, California).
14. Husseneder, C. 2006. Paratransgenesis – research and development towards the future of pest control. Seminar at Dow AgroSciences (Indianapolis, Indiana).
15. Husseneder, C., Collier, R. E., and Wise, B. R. 2006. Paratransgenesis in termites. National Conference of Urban Entomology, Raleigh, North Carolina.
16. Husseneder, C. 2006. Termite symbiosis. Seminar at University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida).
17. Husseneder, C. 2005. Microbial diversity in the termite gut: Tools and targets for termite control. National Pest Management Association/PestWorld (Nashville, Tennessee).
18. Husseneder, C. 2005.  Microbial diversity and paratransgenesis in the termite gut. Seminar at Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kansas).
19. Husseneder, C. 2005. Molecular approaches to termite biology and control. Seminar at University of Hawaii at Manoa (Honolulu, Hawaii).
20. Husseneder, C. 2005. Bugs in Bugs- the microbial community in the termite gut. Pacific Entomology Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii.
21. Husseneder, C., Grace, J.K., and Oishi, D.E. 2004.  Genetic engineering of termite gut bacteria. 22nd International Conference of Entomology, Brisbane, Australia.
22. Husseneder, C. 2004. Genetically engineered gut bacteria deliver and transfer foreign genes in termite colonies. National Conference on Urban Entomology (Phoenix, Arizona).
23. Husseneder, C., Vargo, E.L. and Grace, J.K. 2001. Molecular approaches to termite biology and control. Spring National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (San Diego, California).
24. Husseneder, C., Vargo, E.L. and Grace, J.K. 2001. Colony identification of Formosan termites using molecular methods.” 2nd International Symposium on Coptotermes formosanus (New Orleans, Louisiana).
25. Husseneder, C., Vargo, E.L. and Grace, J.K. 2000. Population structure of the Formosan subterranean termite in Hawaii. Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Societies of America and Canada, Montreal.
26. Husseneder, C. 2000. Molecular Methods: New Approaches to Termite Biology - An Introduction. Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Societies of America and Canada, Montreal.

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Postdocs:

Ravi Dhar (2004-2005): Population genetics and colony structure of Formosan subterranean termites
Gabriel Aluko (2004-2008): Population genetics, breeding systems, colony dynamics and microbial load of Formosan subterranean termites. Current position: Professor at Baton Rouge Community College.
Rachael Collier (BEST fellowship, 2005-2008): Paratransgenesis and genomics of Formosan subterranean termites. Current position: Research Director at NEB.
Cecilia McGregor (2008): Microarrays. Current position: Assistant Professor, Univ. of Georgia.
Paul Lang (2008-2009): Gene expression of Formosan subterranean termites. Current position: Research Molecular Biologist at USDA.
Amit Sethi (2008-pres.): Paratransgenesis, proteases and microbial composition of the termite gut, ligand development using phage display.
Qiuying Huang (2009-pres.): Population genetics of Odontotermes formosanus

Research Associates:

Dawn Simms: population genetics, invasion biology, partner selection and flight behavior of the Formosan subterranean termite
Jennifer Delatte: paratransgenesis, culture and genetic engineering of termite gut bacteria
Sue Garner: Microsatellite development and genotyping

Students working in my lab:

Huei-Ho Yang (M.S. 2006-2008) microbial diversity in the termite gut, ARDRA and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Current position: PhD student at Univ. of Texas
Carrie Owens (Employee of New Orleans Mosquito & Termite Control Board, PhD student of N.-Y. Su at UF): Survival of termite colonies after hurricane Katrina, identification of termite colonies and their breeding system before and after the flood using microsatellite genotyping.
Dawn Simms (M.S. 2009-pres.): Gene expression of Formosan subterranean termites, effects of inbreeding depression.

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Publications:

Invited reviews and bookchapters:

 Articles in refereed journals :

 Other Publications :

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