Gene Expression Profiling of SA, LOX, AOS, and PDF1.2 Dynamics Induced in corn crops post fall army worm feeding
Supervisor Name
RANA Samara
Supervisor Email
r.samara@ptuk.edu.ps
University
Palestine Technical University
Research field
Agricultural Science
Bio
Rana Samara is a distinguished Professor of Entomology at Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie (PTUK). She is known for her exceptional contributions to biological control, crop protection, and agricultural sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Entomology and Biological Control from the University of Hohenheim, Germany, an M.Sc. in Entomology, and a B.Sc. in Plant Protection from the University of Jordan. Prof. Samara's career spans over 20 years of teaching and research, during which she has significantly enhanced academic curricula and supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate students. Prof. Samara's administrative roles have served as Dean of Scientific Research, Director of the Kadoorie Agricultural Research Center, and University President Assistant for International Academic Affairs at PTUK. Her leadership extends to serving on prestigious advisory boards, including the Palestinian-German Science Bridge (PGSB) and Horizon 2020 programs. She has also led various committees on graduate research, scientific publications, and institutional development. Prof. Samara's research expertise includes environmental risk assessments, pest management strategies, and innovative approaches to biological pest control. Her prolific academic output includes over 50 peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences. Her work on plant-pest interactions, essential oils, and virus transmission in crops has contributed to advancing knowledge in agricultural resilience and food security. In addition to her academic roles, Prof. Samara has served as a consultant and trainer for major international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), where she led initiatives such as emergency preparedness for combating Fall Armyworm and training of trainers (ToT) programs that empowered hundreds of young professionals in the agricultural sector. Prof. Samara is recognized with numerous awards, including the Palestinian American Research Center (PARC) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). She continues to impact her field through interdisciplinary collaboration and research excellence. She fosters partnerships that bridge academic institutions, government agencies, and industry stakeholders, contributing to sustainable agricultural development and scientific innovation.
Description
Spodoptera frugiperda, the fall armyworm, is a devastating pest that threatens global maize production. Plant innate defense mechanisms, including the lipoxygenase (LOX) and allene oxide synthase (AOS) pathways, are critical for jasmonic acid-mediated responses, while the plant defensin PDF1.2 gene is a key marker of induced resistance. Despite extensive research on herbivore attacks, the precise molecular interplay between SA signaling and these defense genes in maize remains underexplored. Understanding this regulatory network can provide novel insights for sustainable pest management and breeding of resistant cultivars. The objectives of these study are to investigate the transcriptional activation of defense-related genes (LOX, AOS, PDF1.2) in corn following S. frugiperda infestation, using actin or GAPDH as reference genes, and to elucidate the role of salicylic acid in mediating these responses. Corn seedlings will be subjected to controlled infestation with Spodoptera frugiperda larvae, while uninfested plants will serve as controls. Leaf tissues will be collected at multiple time points post-infestation to capture dynamic responses, and total RNA will be extracted from these samples. Quantitative RT-PCR will then be performed to assess the transcript levels of defense-related genes LOX, AOS, and PDF1.2, using actin or GAPDH as reference genes for normalization. Relative gene expression will be calculated using the ΔΔCt method, and statistical analyses will be conducted to determine the significance of induced transcriptional responses. This study is expected to identify key temporal patterns of defense gene expression in response to S. frugiperda infestation and to elucidate the interplay between salicylic acid signaling and jasmonate-dependent defense pathways. The results will provide molecular markers useful for breeding programs aimed at enhancing pest resistance and contribute to the development of integrated pest management strategies that minimize chemical inputs, thereby supporting sustainable maize production. This project combines molecular biology, plant defense physiology, and pest management to address a critical agricultural challenge. It aligns with global priorities for food security, sustainable agriculture, and environmentally safe pest control. Outcomes will provide actionable knowledge for breeding programs and policy strategies in maize-producing regions. These funds will support the molecular reagents e.g. RNA extraction kits, qPCR consumables
