RESEARCH

The YANG Lab is focused on characterization of various insect-microbial interactions through diverse approaches such as genetics, genomics, behavior, evolutionary biology and disease transmission ecology. The current model systems are (but not limited to) ants and urban/invasive insect pests. Using these exciting insect systems, the YANG Lab is dedicated to address questions as follows:

How urban/invasive insect pests respond to pathogen infections?
How microbes shape the success of insect invasion and co-evolve with the invasive insects?
How life-history traits mediate microbial persistence and transmission among interacting insect species?
How microbial biocontrol agents spread within/among host insect populations?

Application

Just as much as we appreciate the value of basic research, we are enthusiastic about applied research that has potential to inform practical solutions to real-world problems. For example, we have been passionate about developing pest management strategies based on our insect-microbial-interactions-related research findings. Here are several topics of our interest:

Effects of insect-microbial interactions on the outcome of pest management practices
Identification of microbial biocontrol agents against urban/invasive insect pests
Interspecific transmission of honeybee viruses and potential spill-over mediated by ant-honeybee interactions