Potential applications of insect symbionts in biotechnology.
Appl Microbiol Biotechnol
; 100(4): 1567-1577, 2016 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26659224
ABSTRACT
Symbiotic interactions between insects and microorganisms are widespread in nature and are often the source of ecological innovations. In addition to supplementing their host with essential nutrients, microbial symbionts can produce enzymes that help degrade their food source as well as small molecules that defend against pathogens, parasites, and predators. As such, the study of insect ecology and symbiosis represents an important source of chemical compounds and enzymes with potential biotechnological value. In addition, the knowledge on insect symbiosis can provide novel avenues for the control of agricultural pest insects and vectors of human diseases, through targeted manipulation of the symbionts or the host-symbiont associations. Here, we discuss different insect-microbe interactions that can be exploited for insect pest and human disease control, as well as in human medicine and industrial processes. Our aim is to raise awareness that insect symbionts can be interesting sources of biotechnological applications and that knowledge on insect ecology can guide targeted efforts to discover microorganisms of applied value.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Simbiosis
/
Biotecnología
/
Control Biológico de Vectores
/
Insectos
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Appl Microbiol Biotechnol
Año:
2016
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Alemania