Insect Toxicogenomics Lab
Fang (Rose) Zhu, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor
261 FSHN, Department of Entomology
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164
fang.zhu@wsu.edu
(509) 335-0480 (Office)
Education
Ph.D., Entomology, Auburn University, 2007
M.S., Entomology, China Agricultural University, 2002
B.S., Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, 1999
Professional Experience
Assistant Research Professor, Entomology, Washington State University, 2015-present
Research Associate, Entomology, Washington State University, 2014-2015
Research Associate, Entomology, University of Kentucky, 2011-2013
Postdoc, Entomology, University of Kentucky, 2007-2011
Research Description
The primary emphasis of our research is to understand the mechanisms of insects adaptation to chemical stresses in their environment. Insects are the most evolutionarily successful metazoans on the Earth. The remarkable success of insects is largely due to their adaptive capabilities in coping with numerous stresses. The radiation of insects into diverse ecological niches has enhanced their risk to be exposed to toxic or otherwise life-threatening conditions. In their natural environment, insects have to face extensive chemical pressure from their hosts, predators, parasitoids, competitors, and other abiotic factors including pesticides. Understanding the molecular and genetic basis of insect responses to the chemical pressure in their ecosystem represents a key challenge to develop sustainable pest management strategies. The knowledge gained from our research is of significance in helping control both urban and agricultural arthropod pests.
Selected Publications
Adesanya AW, Morales MA, Walsh DB, Lavine LC, Lavine MD, Zhu F. (2017) Mechanisms of resistance to three mite growth inhibitors of Tetranychus urticae in hops. Bulletin of Entomological Research 1-12 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485317000414
Morales MA, Mendoza BM, Lavine LC, Lavine MD, Walsh DB, Zhu F. (2016) Selection of reference genes for expression studies of xenobiotic adaptation in Tetranychus urticae. International Journal of Biological Sciences 12:1129-1139. doi:10.7150/ijbs.16319.
Zhu F, Moural TW, Nelson DR, Palli SR. (2016) A specialist herbivore pest adaptation to xenobiotics through up-regulation of multiple Cytochrome P450s. Scientific Reports 6:20421 doi:10.1038/srep20421.
Benoit JB, Adelman ZN, Reinhardt K, Dolan A, Poelchau M, Jennings EC, Szuter EM, Hagan RW, Gujar H, Shukla J, Zhu F et al. (2016) Unique features of a global human ectoparasite identified through sequencing of the bed bug genome. Nature Communications 7:10165 doi:10.1038/ncomms10165.
Zhu F, Lavine LC, O’Neal S, Lavine M, Foss CR, Walsh DB. (2016) Insecticide resistance and management strategies in urban ecosystems. Insects 7, 2 doi:10.3390/insects7010002 (Invited review).
Piraneo T, Bull J, Morales MA, Lavine LC, Walsh DB, Zhu F. (2015) Mechanisms of Tetranychus urticae chemical adaptation in hop fields. Scientific Reports 5:17090 doi:10.1038/srep17090.
Zhu F, Cui Y, Walsh DB, Lavine LC. (2014) Application of RNAi toward insecticide resistance management. In Short Views on Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, eds. R. Chandrasekar, B.K. Tyagi, Z. Gui and G.R. Reeck. Chapter 27, Vol.(2), pp 595-619.
Chandrasekar R, Brintha PG, Park EY, Pelsoi P, Liu F, Ling E, Goldsmith M, Ejiofor A, Pittendrigh, BR, Han, YS, Noriega FG, Sugumaran M, Tyagi BK, Gui Z, Zhu F, Patnaik BB, Michailova P. (2014) Introduction to insect molecular biology. In Short Views on Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, eds. R. Chandrasekar, B.K. Tyagi, Z. Gui and G.R. Reeck. Chapter 1, Vol.(1), pp 3-56.
Zhu F, Moural T, Shah K, Palli SR. (2013) Integrated analysis of cytochrome P450 gene superfamily in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. BMC Genomics 14:174.
Zhu F, Gujar H, Gordon JR, Haynes KF, Potter MF, Palli SR. (2013) Bed bugs evolved unique adaptive strategy to resist pyrethroid insecticides. Scientific Reports 3:1456.
Zhu F, Sams S, Moural T, Haynes KF, Potter MF, Palli SR. (2012) RNA interference of NADPH-Cytochrome P450 reductase results in reduced insecticide resistance in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius. PLoS One 7(2): e31037.
Liu N, Zhu F. (2011) House fly cytochrome P450s: their role in insecticide resistance and strategies in the isolation and characterization. In Recent Advances in Entomological Research: From Molecular Biology to Pest Management, chapter 14, editors T. Liu, L. Kang, pp. 246-257.
Zhu F, Xu J, Palli R, Ferguson J, Palli SR. (2011) Ingested RNA interference for managing the populations of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Pest Management Science 67:175-182.
Zhu F, Parthasarathy R, Bai H, Woithe K, Kaussmann M, Nauen R, Harrison DA, Palli SR. (2010) A brain-specific P450 responsible for the majority of deltamethrin resistance in the QTC279 strain of Tribolium castaneum. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107:8557-8562.
Zhu F, Wigginton J, Romero A, Moore A, Ferguson K, Palli R, Potter MF, Haynes KF, Palli SR. (2010) Widespread distribution of knockdown resistance mutations in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), populations in the United States. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology 73:245-257.
Zhu F, Li T, Zhang L, Liu N. (2008) Co-up-regulation of three P450 genes in response to permethrin exposure in permethrin resistant house flies, Musca domestica. BMC Physiology 8:18.
Zhu F, Liu N. (2008) Differential expression of CYP6A5 and CYP6A5v2 in pyrethroid-resistant house flies, Musca domestica. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology 67:107-119.
Zhu F, Feng J, Zhang L, Liu N. (2008) Characterization of two novel cytochrome P450 genes in insecticide-resistant house-flies. Insect Molecular Biology 17:27-37.
Zhu F, Feng J, Zhang L, Liu N. (2005) Differential expression between resistant and susceptible house flies, Musca domestica. SAAS Bulletin Biochemistry and Biotechnology 18:20-31.
Back to Department of Entomology