Multilevel Analysis of Vicia Fabae Defense Mechanisms Against Aphis fabe: Linking Feeding Behavior, Biochemical Responses, and Gene Expression
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
Vicia faba is an economically and nutritionally important legume cultivated widely in Mediterranean and temperate regions. However, its productivity is severely reduced by many insect pests specifically Aphis fabae, a phloem-feeding hemipteran insect that causes both direct and indirect damage to the crop. They directly feed on the plant phloem sap, leading to reduced plant vigor, inject of salivary effectors that manipulate plant metabolism, transmit several viable plant viruses and enhance secondary diseases such as sooty mold due to the honeydew secretion, which reduced the marketable and nutritional value of the crops. Because aphids reproduce rapidly through parthenogenesis and form dense colonies, infestations can escalate quickly, especially under favorable environmental conditions. This project will study the insect feeding behavior using the electric penetration graph system (EPG), evaluate the biochemical defense responses (SA + antioxidant enzymes) and measure the molecular defense gene expression (LOX, AOS, PDF1.2) to understand how does vicia fabae resists herbivory at behavioral, physiological, and transcriptional levels. Most undergraduate projects study insect behaviour only, biochemistry only, or gene expression only; but this project integrates behaviour, biochemistry, and gene expression to provide a mechanistic cascade model of Vicia fabae defence. The main objectives Compare insect feeding behavior on different Vicia fabae cultivars using EPG. Quantify salicylic acid (SA) accumulation after infestation. Measure antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, PPO, POX). Analyze expression of defense genes (LOX, AOS, PDF1.2). Correlate behavioral data with biochemical and molecular markers.
