gopinath selvaraj
 
Eco-systems biology approach for modeling tritrophic networks of plant host, sap-feeding insect and their symbionts.
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Ecological interactions are based on the metabolic capacities of individual organisms, leading to metabolic exchanges between them. Such exchanges let organisms to complement for nutritional needs. We aim at deciphering one such ecological puzzle by integrating in-silico network modeling with experimental validations. Interactions among host-plants, sap-feeding insect (sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci) and it's bacterial symbionts form a simple tri-trophic network. Hence, we chose this tri-trophic system for the present study. Ultimately, this combined approach will pave way to understand such complex tri-trophic interactions.