Direct Doctorate (DD) Fellowship in Bioinformatics applied to Transcriptomics and Genomics in mites (Fellowship DD).

• Grant number: 25/05914-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Gonzalez Ibeas
• Grantee: Bruno Afonso Corrêa
• Host Institution: Instituto Biológico (IB). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/08989-3 - Bioinformatic analyses of coding and non-coding RNAs in Brevipalpus yothersi and their role in the interaction with Citrus Leprosis virus C and in acaricide response, AP.JP

Abstract

The genus Brevipalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) includes over 300 species that are among the most important agricultural pests. They infest citrus, coffee and passion fruit, three relevant crops in Brazil. Brevipalpus yothersi Baker is the main vector responsible for transmitting citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C). Genetic resources of this organism are essential to understand its biology, development and life cycle, as well as to address the problems it causes, for example to study the molecular bases of the mite-virus interaction or the resistance against acaricides. Transcriptome analyses allow for accessing the gene content from a functional standpoint. Although protein-coding sequences have been usually the center of the research, they typically account for a minor percentage of the whole gene space, and the study of non-coding molecular types has become an essential complement. RNA isolation techniques also allow for the characterization of the whole set of RNA viruses present in organisms, a key aspect to study virus evolution and to anticipate pathogen emergence. The applicant will have the opportunity to get experience about the biology of this mite species through bioinformatic approaches for genome and transcriptome analysis of protein-coding genes, long non-coding RNAs, small RNAs, and virome composition. (AU)