Graham ThompsonWestern Science

Graduate Opportunities

 Graduate positions in biology and genomics of social insects at Western University, Canada.

The Social Biology Group (https://www.uwo.ca/biology/faculty/thompson/) at Western University in Canada has several graduate student positions on offer.

1) Using networks analysis to understand gene regulation

Our group has been using network science to understand how genes interact with each other to regulate the expression of social traits. We are looking for a student with skill in bioinformatics analysis of genomes and an interest in social insects to perform network analysis on emerging transcriptomes/genomes of bees and termites. Some recent work from the SBG on this topic is as follows:

Guoth AW, Chernyshova AM, Thompson GJ. 2020. Gene-regulatory context of honey bee worker sterility. BioSystems 198: 104235

Faragalla KM, Chernyshova AM, Gallo AJ, Thompson GJ. 2018. From gene list to gene network: Recognizing functional connections that regulate behavioral traits. JEZ-B 330: 317-329

Sobotka et al. 2016. Structure and function of gene regulatory networks associated with worker sterility in honeybees. Ecology and Evolution 6: 1692-1701

Mullen et al. 2014. Gene co-citation networks associated with worker sterility in honey bees. BMC Systems Biology 8: 38

2) Using Drosophila to study conserved signalling and behavioural atavisms

Our group has been using a Drosophila model to uncover conserved responses to ovary-suppressing pheromones extracted from honeybee queens. Why some non-eusocial insects respond to queen pheromone in a manner comparable to altruistic workers is unclear but fascinating and opens many experimental questions. We need a student with experience in Drosophila biology and an interest in social insects to identify genes and neurons essential for pheromone responsiveness and ovary de-activation. There is the prospect of expanding the analysis to other non-eusocial models and even testing for suppression of ovarian cell growth as a novel chemotherapeutic to fight mammalian cancer.

Some recent work from the SBG on this topic is as follows:

Galang KC, Croft JR, Thompson GJ, Percival-Smith A. 2019. Analysis of the Drosophila anti-ovarian response to honey bee queen mandibular pheromone. Insect Molecular Biology 28: 99-111

Croft JR, Liu T, Camiletti AL, Simon AF, Thompson GJ. 2017. Sexual response of male Drosophila to honey bee queen mandibular pheromone: implications for genetic studies of social insects. Journal of Comparative Physiology - A 203: 143-149

Camiletti AL, Percival-Smith A, Croft JR, Thompson GJ. 2016. A novel screen for genes associated with pheromone-induced sterility. Scientific Reports 6: 36041

Camiletti et al 2014. How flies respond to honey bee pheromone: The role of the foraging gene on reproductive response to queen mandibular pheromone. Naturwissenschaften 101: 25-31.

Camiletti et al 2013. Honey bee queen mandibular pheromone inhibits ovary development and fecundity in a fruit fly. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 147: 262-268.

3) Probing termite genomes to reveal signatures of social evolution

Our group has long used termites as a vehicle to understand caste and behaviour. We are looking for a student with skill in bioinformatics analysis of genomes and an interest in social insects to perform evolutionary analysis on emerging transcriptomes/genomes, including new data sets of our own making. Our local species of termite is also highly invasive, so this projects brings the prospect of relating findings to invasiveness.  

Some recent work from the SBG on this topic is as follows:

Harrison MC, Chernyshova AM, Thompson GJ. 2020. No obvious transriptome-wide signature of indirect selection in termites. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 34: 403-415.

Thompson GJ, Chernyshova AM. 2020. Caste Differentiation: Genetic and Epigenetic Factors. pp 165-176. In: Starr C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Social Insects. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.

Behl S, Wu T, Chernyshova AM, Thompson GJ. 2018. Caste-biased genes in a subterranean termite are taxonomically restricted: implications for novel gene recruitment during termite caste evolution. Insectes Sociaux 65: 593-599

Wu T, Dhami GK, Thompson GJ. 2018. Soldier-biased gene expression in a subterranean termite implies functional specialization of the defensive caste. Evolution and Development 20: 3-16

Gao and Thompson 2015. Social context affects immune gene expression in a subterranean termite. Insectes Sociaux. 62: 167-179.

Scaduto et al 2012. Genetic evidence for multiple invasions of the Eastern subterranean termite into Canada. Environmental Entomology. 41: 1680-1686.

4) Brain-gut axis of honey bee and other eusocial insects

Working closely with our collaborator Gregor Reid at the Lawson Health Research Institute our group has established a role for probiotics in diet to manipulate the composition of honey bee gut microbiota, with positive effects on health and immunity. We are looking for a student with skill in bee behavioural analysis to relate these findings to social behaviour in a controlled apiary setting.

Some recent work from the SBG on this topic is as follows:

Daisley BA, Pitek AP, Chmiel JA, Gibbons S, Chernyshova AM, Al KF, Faragalla KM, Burton JP, Thompson GJ, Reid G. 2020. Lactobacillus spp. attenuate antibiotic-induced immune and microbiota dysregulation in honey bees. Communications Biology 3: Article 534

Daisley BA, Chmiel JA, Pitek AP, Thompson GJ, Reid G. 2020. Missing microbes in bees: how systematic depletion of key symbionts erodes immunity. Trends in Microbiology 28: 1010-1021

Chmiel JA, Daisley BA, Pitek AP, Thompson GJ, Reid G. 2020. Understanding the effects of sublethal pesticide exposure on honey bees: a role for probiotics as mediators of environmental stress. Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution 8: Article 22

Daisley BA, Pitek AP, Chmiel JA, Al KF, Chernyshova AM, Faragalla KM, Burton JP, Thompson GJ, Reid G. 2019. Novel probiotic approach to counter Paenibacillus larvae infection in honey bees. The ISME Journal 14: 476-491

How to apply

Candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter outlining their expertise and a CV to graham.thompson@uwo.ca We will evaluate applications as they are received. Informal inquiries are welcome.

Western University is located in the City of London (pop. 400 000), which is two hrs drive from from Toronto and Detroit, and has a large and vibrant Department of Biology https://www.uwo.ca/biology/. We have strong links to the London Regional Genomics Centre, the Lawson Health Research Institute and SHARCNET super-computing facilities. In addition, we run an active research group, with a well-equipped molecular laboratory. We have access to live termites and maintain our own research apiary.

Funding is available for Canadian students. International students are welcome to apply with knowledge of additional hurdles associated with funding and visas: https://www.uwo.ca/biology/graduate/prospective/index.html