Kesavan Subaharan

Biography

Imaginal conditioning in Drosophila melanogaster adults was established by olfactory learning, this facilitated understanding the mechanism of learning and memory in Drosophila. The potassium channel on the neuronal membrane of D. melanogaster was characterised in learning mutant and wild type flies. Standardized the protocol for establishing primary neuronal cell culture from larvae of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella. Developed a technique for olfactory conditioning of Goniozus nephantidis a parasitoid of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella. Olfactory conditioning helped to increase the host searching ability of lab reared parasitoids. Established the association of scolytid beetle Xylosandrus compactus with cocoa wilt. Developed a kairomonal blend as a pheromone synergist for trapping coconut red palm weevil. Developed a nanomatrix for sustained release of pheromone and kairomone. Developed a slow release device for the bioactive compound used in pest management. Developed a formulation for storing entomopathogenic nematodes. Developed a insect neurosensory physiology coupled with chemical detection unit. The facilities were extended to students and scientists form following centres. Installed the EAG equipment procured by Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad. Characterized the olfactory receptor neurons of Manduca sexta to host volatiles. Deciphered the peripheral olfactory response in O. nubilalis to be affected by autosomal and sex-linked genes exhibiting a cross-locus dominance effect.

Research Interest

Chemical ecological approaches for pest management, characterization of olfactory response in insects using chemical and electrophysiological detectors and developing nanoparticles for delivery of semiochemicals