Insects are second to no animal in their importance to humans; consider their roles in pollination, devouring crops and transmitting diseases. Our success in living with or without insects depends upon the depth of our understanding of insect biology. Molecular and genome sciences are revolutionizing our understanding of human biology and medicine, and it can do the same for the study of insects. There is a major problem; developing advanced molecular and genetic technologies for one species, humans, has been challenging but developing similar technologies for hundreds of important insect species currently studied intensely by scientists is immensely more challenging. For some insects the technologies are well developed and knowledge of their application is deep (fruitflies), while for other insects the technologies are nonexistent and technical knowledge is shallow (honeybees). This NSF-Research Coordination Network fosters the development and sharing of molecular and genetic knowledge and technologies across diverse research groups. The Network fosters cross-disciplinary interactions by convening training workshops and classes, sponsoring symposia, promoting collaborations and assembling an online knowledge emporium for insect scientists.
This project will have four major impacts: 1) enabling solutions to society's most vexing insect-related problems, e.g. overuse of insecticides and reemergence of insect-borne diseases, 2) maximizing the value of research-dollars by encouraging collaborations and leveraging existing resources, 3) preparing for the future by training students, 4) enhancing participation of underrepresented groups in science.
