Rachel Kathryn Ward
Rachel Kathryn Ward
Investigating the effects of aging and phenotypic shifts on the proteome in insects
About
10
Publications
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Introduction
Utilising proteomics, I investigate fundamental research questions such as the effects of aging and phenotypic shifts in honeybee workers. One major aspect of this research is uncovering the significant differences between winter and summer honeybees. I look to uncover a deeper understanding into honeybee biology, through applying a novel experimental designs of linking proteomics and phenotypic data resulting in insights into the cellular composition and health of individuals and colony level.
Education
September 2015 - June 2018
Publications
Publications (10)
The application of treatments to reduce/control the number of Varroa destructor mites within Apis mellifera colonies is a common apicultural practice. The effectiveness of the treatments in reducing Varroa mites from colonies has been extensively studied, however, the effects of these treatments on the bees within the colonies are poorly characteri...
Mechanical cues play an important role in the metastatic cascade of cancer. Three-dimensional (3D) tissue matrices with tunable stiffness have been extensively used as model systems of the tumor microenvironment for physiologically relevant studies. Tumor-associated cells actively deform these matrices, providing mechanical cues to other cancer cel...
Mechanical cues play an important role in the metastatic cascade of cancer. Three-dimensional (3D) tissue matrices with tunable stiffness have been extensively used as model systems of the tumor microenvironment for physiologically relevant studies. Tumor-associated cells actively deform these matrices, providing mechanical cues to other cancer cel...
The extensive annual loss of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) represents a global problem affecting agriculture and biodiversity. The parasitic mite Varroa destructor, associated with viral co-infections, plays a key role in this loss. Despite years of intensive research, the complex mechanisms of Varroa – honey bee interaction are still not fully de...
The aim of the work presented here was to characterise the proteomic shifts that occur in worker honeybees as they transition from summer to winter. Label free quantitative proteomic analysis was performed on Apis mellifera sampled from July to October to compare the proteomes of bees as the colony progressed from summer to autumn. Analysis highlig...
Apis mellifera workers display two stages; short lived summer bees that engage in nursing, hive maintenance and foraging, and long lived winter bees (diutinus bees) which remain within the hive and are essential for thermoregulation and rearing the next generation of bees in spring before dying. Label free quantitative proteomic analysis was conduc...
The parasitic mite Varroa destructor is a major threat to the health and productivity of Apis mellifera hives and induces its effect by feeding on the fat body of larvae/pupae and transmitting viruses. The effect of the anti-Varroa formic acid containing - Mite Away Quick (MAQ) strips on the proteome of A. mellifera was assessed. Samples of A. mell...
An introduction to how the presence of Varroa and viruses can have detrimental effects on bee health.
An overview of a proteomic study investigating age-polyethism in Apis mellifera populations
A brief overview on the comparative study between summer and winter honeybees.
Questions
Questions (3)
Processing synovial fluid samples for protease analysis with a mass spectrometer. Samples are centrifuged at 4 degrees 2200g for 15 min, then heat-denatured at 95 degrees for 10 minutes. Samples are then jelly.
Think DNA is causing the issue here. Unsure on how to prevent this from happening.
Tried a centrifuge at room temperature before heat-denaturation but sample was still extremely viscous.
I am trying to calculate the amount of peptide I would need to order to complete a bacterial protease activity assay using fluorescence. I hoping to look at E. coli and S. aureus strains with specific protease - peptide activity.
Would there be a suggested amount of peptide to order to be able to complete activity assays in triplicate?
Hello Everyone,
I am looking at the proteome of the honeybee Apis mellifera and am having issues getting some results from Kegg Mapper. I have used it in the past and it has worked fine, it looks like there has been some update to the system and now it returns no pathways when I enter my protein codes and organism specific code.
Has anyone had the same issue or have any idea how to fix it?
