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Student 10-Minute Presentation Competition

Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology

Student Competition

Student

Grad 10-min Competition: PBT, Physiology

An exploration of uncharacterized neuropeptides in the Colorado potato beetle using RNAi

Monday, November 10, 2025
10:42 AM - 10:54 AM Pacific
Location: Oregon Convention Center, F150, OCC
Oral Presentation Student Competition
Neuropeptides are essential molecular regulators of insect physiology, modulating several biological processes including development, feeding, reproduction, and behavior. In this study, we investigated select neuropeptides of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata; CPB) to better elucidate the functional roles and expression dynamics of these proteins and their receptors. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to characterize the expression patterns of selected neuropeptide genes across developmental stages, tissues, and sexes, revealing stage- and tissue-specific regulatory patterns. To explore the physiological importance of individual neuropeptides, RNA interference (RNAi) was used for gene knockdown, followed by observation of phenotypic and survival outcomes. These functional assays provide insight into the contributions of specific neuropeptides to developmental timing, homeostasis, and organismal viability. By linking gene expression profiles with physiological function, this study advances our understanding of neuropeptide signaling in CPB and contributes to a broader understanding of insect neurobiology.