GENE TRANSFER

Subject : Science & tech

Context : In a first, gene-transfer between insects & plants has just been reported

Concept :

The finding, reported today in Cell1, is the first known example of a natural gene transfer from a plant to an insect.
It also explains one reason why the whitefly Bemisiatabaci is so adept at munching on crops: the gene that it swiped from plants enables it to neutralize a toxin that some plants produce to defend against insects.
It shows whitefly (Bemisiatabaci) is able to nuetralise a toxin that is made by any plants, including the plants, that the insect attacks, by having stolen a gene from the plant host millions of years ago, . It is the first such instance of genetic transfer between plants and insects.
But, so far, insect-pests were known to have appropriated microbial and fungal genes to be better able to prey on plants, but with the new research showing a more direct commandeering of genes, this could help reimagine crop protection.