Molecular Entomology 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 8-17 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/me 8 Research Article Open Access Research on Insect Pathogen Resistance Based on GWAS: Methods, Challenges, and Prospects Fangqi Xu Insect Breeding and Biotesting Laboratory, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author email: 1049879736@qq.com Molecular Entomology, 2024, Vol.15, No.1 doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0002 Received: 14 Nov., 2023 Accepted: 24 Dec., 2023 Published: 14 Jan., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Xu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Xu F.Q., 2024, Research on insect pathogen resistance based on gwas: methods, challenges, and prospects, Molecular Entomology, 15(1): 8-17 (doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0002) Abstract This study reviews the application of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in the field of insect pathogen resistance, and discusses the main methods, challenges, and future development prospects of this research direction. This study introduces the basic principles of GWAS and its application in revealing the genetic basis of insect resistance to pathogens. By analyzing genetic variations in the insect genome, GWAS helps scientists identify key genes and functional regions related to resistance. This study discusses the main challenges encountered in conducting GWAS research, including sample size limitations, genetic diversity, environmental factors, and difficulties in detecting rare variations. It also explores issues such as data sharing and privacy protection. This study looks forward to the potential of utilizing GWAS results to improve insect resistance strategies, including the application of gene editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 in insect resistance improvement, and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in solving complex scientific problems. This study aims to provide a comprehensive perspective for the research and management of insect pathogen resistance, promoting scientific progress and technological innovation in related fields. Keywords Genome-wide association studies; Insect resistance; Gene editing technology; Interdisciplinary cooperation; Pathogen control Insects, as one of the most diverse and widely distributed biomes on Earth, are closely linked to human life. They play a variety of roles in natural ecosystems, both as beneficial and harmful insects, the latter being particularly known for their enormous damage to agricultural crops. Insect pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, pose a major threat to agriculture and forestry and can cause significant reductions in crop yields, thus challenging global food security. Some insects are also capable of transmitting deadly diseases to humans, such as mosquito-borne malaria and dengue fever, further highlighting the importance of controlling the spread of insect pathogens (Pan et al., 2023). In this context, understanding the mechanisms of insect resistance to these pathogens has become particularly important. This can not only help develop more effective pest management strategies and reduce the use of pesticides, but also provide new ideas for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. In recent years, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been widely used as a powerful genetic research tool in the study of insect pathogen resistance. By analyzing the association between genetic variants in the insect genome and resistance phenotypes, GWAS can help scientists to reveal the genetic basis of insect resistance and thus its complex genetic mechanisms. The application of GWAS has greatly contributed to the understanding of the genetic basis of insect resistance. Compared with traditional genetic analysis methods, GWAS is able to provide a rapid and comprehensive scan of the entire genome without relying on a priori genetic information. This means that GWAS can efficiently identify key genetic variants even for resistance traits that have complex genetic backgrounds and are associated with multiple genes. This ability is critical for resolving the complexity of insect pathogen resistance, especially in the current context of global change and rapidly changing agricultural practices.
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