Publications by authors named "Bonaventure Aman Omondi"
Disaster plant pathology addresses how natural and human-driven disasters impact plant diseases and the requirements for smart management solutions. Local to global drivers of plant disease change in response to disasters, often creating environments more conducive to plant disease. Most disasters have indirect effects on plant health through factors such as disrupted supply chains and damaged infrastructure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD), caused by the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) is the most important and devastating in many tropical countries. BBTD epidemiology has been little studied, mixed landscape smallholder systems. The relative risks associated with this disease vary between geographical areas and landscapes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOlfactory information drives several behaviours critical for the survival and persistence of insect pests and vectors. Insect behaviour is variable, linked to their biological needs, and regulated by physiological dynamics. For mosquitoes, CO2 is an important cue that signifies the presence of a host, and which elicits activation and attraction.
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- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is a widely used technique for measuring gene expression, but it can be affected by systematic errors, making proper data normalization essential for reliable results.
- The study assessed the stability of eight candidate reference genes for normalizing gene expression data in the antennae of Rhodnius prolixus, revealing that evaluation is necessary for each specific condition and sex.
- Results indicated that while different software tools produced varying rankings for reference genes, five genes consistently ranked high across conditions, highlighting the importance of careful selection of internal controls to improve the validity of gene expression studies.
Article Synopsis
- Triatomines have become key subjects in behavioral research, exploring areas like host search, communication, and activity patterns over the last two decades.
- Recent advances in molecular genetics and the complete genome sequence of Rhodnius prolixus enhance opportunities to study the genetic basis of insect physiology and behavior.
- Focusing on the molecular aspects of triatomine behavior and sensory ecology can improve our understanding of insect biology, particularly regarding vector species, leading to better comparative studies of sensory function and cognition in insects.