Gregor Bucher

Single-cell transcriptomics of enriched rare neural lineages of Tribolium castaneum

The paper develops workflows for targeted single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing of rare neural populations in Tribolium castaneum using reporter and antibody-based enrichment strategies.

foxQ2 marks fast-acting interneurons including dopaminergic neurons of mushroom bodies and central complex in the beetle T. castaneum

The insect brain is specified by a conserved transcriptional program distinct from the segmental CNS

The paper identifies brain-specific transcription factors in insect neuroblasts, revealing a distinct regulatory program for the insect brain compared to the posterior CNS.

Targeting the cell membrane in established and emerging model organisms

The paper develops a toolkit of membrane-localising tags tested across ten animal species to identify effective signals for targeting proteins to the plasma membrane.

Genome-wide identification of genes involved in beetle odoriferous defensive stink gland function recognizes Laccase2 as the phenoloxidase responsible for toxic para-benzoquinone synthesis

The paper identifies 490 genes involved in beetle defensive stink gland function using RNAi screening and transcriptomics, highlighting Laccase2 as the phenoloxidase responsible for toxic para-benzoquinone synthesis.

Differences in size and number of embryonic type-II neuroblast lineages correlate with divergent timing of central complex development between beetle and fly

Optimizing dsRNA sequences for RNAi in pest control and research with the dsRIP Web-Platform

This study identifies sequence features for effective dsRNA in insect pest control and develops a web-platform to optimize dsRNA design for RNAi.

Effective target genes for RNA interference-based management of the cabbage stem flea beetle

This study identifies highly effective target genes for RNA interference-based control of the cabbage stem flea beetle, showing 100% mortality and reduced leaf damage with dsRNA.

Superior target genes and pathways for RNAi mediated pest control revealed by genome wide analysis in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum

The paper identifies superior target genes and pathways for RNAi-based pest control in the red flour beetle using genome-wide analysis and validates effective targets for oral application in other pests.

Temporal restriction of RNAi reveals breakdown of the segmentation clock is reversible after knock down of primary pair rule genes but not Wnt-signaling in the red flour beetle

The paper shows that blocking RNAi of primary pair rule genes in red flour beetle allows segmentation recovery, but blocking Wnt pathway RNAi does not, revealing robust and labile feedback loops in segmentation.

An atlas of the developing Tribolium castaneum brain reveals conserved anatomy and divergent timing to Drosophila melanogaster

The paper creates an atlas of the developing Tribolium castaneum brain and compares it to Drosophila melanogaster, finding conserved anatomy but divergent developmental timing.

Identifying essential genes across eukaryotes by machine learning

The paper uses machine learning to predict essential genes across eukaryotes, achieving high accuracy and validating predictions in Tribolium castaneum.

Shaking hands is a putative terminal selector and controls axon outgrowth of central complex neurons in the insect model Tribolium

This study identifies Shaking hands (Skh) as a transcription factor specifying central complex (CX) neuron subtypes in Tribolium, with knock-down causing axon outgrowth defects and disrupting CX development.

Large portion of essential genes is missed by screening either fly or beetle indicating unexpected diversity of insect gene function

The paper expands an RNAi screen in Tribolium castaneum to assess gene function diversity between beetles and flies, finding that 50% of functions are shared while others are specific to one species.

An ancestral apical brain region contributes to the central complex under the control of foxQ2 in the beetle Tribolium castaneum

The paper identifies foxQ2 as a key regulator of midline brain structures in Tribolium castaneum, showing its role in the development of the central complex and linking it to an ancestral neuroendocrine center.

A large-scale systemic RNAi screen in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum identifies novel genes involved in insect muscle development

The paper reports a large-scale RNAi screen in Tribolium castaneum identifying novel genes involved in insect muscle development, with results showing both shared and distinct genes compared to Drosophila.

foxQ2 evolved a key role in anterior head and central brain patterning in protostomes

The paper identifies foxQ2 as a key regulator in protostome anterior head and brain development, showing its novel role in insect gene regulatory networks.

The house spider genome reveals an ancient whole-genome duplication during arachnid evolution

The paper analyzes the house spider genome to identify an ancient whole-genome duplication shared by spiders and scorpions, distinct from horseshoe crab duplications.