This volume details methods and protocols necessary to further the study of insect immunity. Chapters guide readers through up-to-date genomic and transcriptomic approaches, insect samples for proteomic analysis, hemocytes in Drosophila, cellular response in Lepidoptera, insect AMPs, manipulate the composition of mosquito microbiota, viral infections in insects, infections by entomopathogenic nematodes, immune response following oral infections, and protocols to to monitor the effect of septic infections with human pathogens using B. mori as a model. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and cutting-edge, Immunity in Insects aims to ensure successful resultsin the further study of this vital field.

Includes cutting-edge methods and protocols Provides step-by-step detail essential for reproducible results Contains key notes and implementation advice from the experts

Inhalt

Characterization of Insect Immune Systems from Genomic Data.- Analyzing Immunity in Non-model Insects using de novo Transcriptomics.- Preparation of Insect Protein Samples for Label-free Proteomic Quantification by LC-mass Spectrometry.- Quantification of Blood Cells in Drosophila melanogaster and other Insects.- Methods to Quantify in vivo Phagocytic Uptake and Opsonization of Live or Killed microbes *in Drosophila melanogaster.- Analysis of Cellular Immune Responses in Lepidopteran Larvae.- Detection of Enzyme Distribution, Expression, Activation, and Activity of Insect Prophenoloxidase.- Basic Methods to Evaluate Humoral Immunity Processes in Lepidoptera larvae.- Methods for the in vitro Examination of the Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities of Antimicrobial Peptides.- Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptide - Membrane Interaction Using All-atom Molecular Dynamic Simulation.- Manipulating the Mosquito Microbiota to Study its Function.- Discovery and Analysis of RNA Viruses in Insects.- A Workflow for Infection of Drosophila with Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Monitor Immune Gene Transcriptional Activity.- Oral Infection in a Germ-Free Bombyx mori* Model.- Silkworm Infection Model for Evaluating Pathogen Virulence.