Seminars by Prof. Dr. Susanne Dobler and Prof. Dr. Anke Steppuhn

Evading a deadly threat - how insects master cardenolides in their host plants
by Prof. Dr. Susanne Dobler, Universität Hamburg

Abstract: Cardenolide containing host plants impose a serious hurdle to phytophagous insects as these toxins inhibit the Na,K-ATPase, an essential transmembrane carrier in animal tissues. Nevertheless at least a hundred insect species feed on cardenolide containing plants without suffering ill effects. This talk analyzes different strategies insects can evolve to avoid cardenolide toxicity: target site insensitivity of their Na,K-ATPase and compartmentalization of toxin and target.  

Insect eggs as tell-tale signs for plants to prepare defence against herbivore attack
by Prof. Dr. Anke Steppuhn, Freie Universität Berlin

Abstract: Most plants respond to herbivory with the induction of defence traits. Because many insect herbivores deposit their eggs on their host plant, plants may use egg deposition as an alarm signal for the future attack. We investigate the effects of a previous egg deposition on the defence responses of two solanaceous plants to generalist an specialist herbivores and found that insect eggs can prime the induction of plant defences.