Decoding DNA Methylation Dynamics in the Cotton Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera)

Helicoverpa armigera is a globally significant, polyphagous pest responsible for multi-billion-dollar crop losses each year. Emerging evidence suggests that DNA methylation modulates gene expression throughout its life cycle, yet stage-specific methylation patterns remain largely uncharted. In this project you will extract genomic DNA from larval, pupal and adult Helicoverpa tissues, subject it to sodium-bisulphite conversion, and PCR-amplify regions previously shown to be methylated. Amplicons will be sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq, generating deep-coverage methylation profiles of targeted loci. By comparing life-stage-specific methylation signatures, you will uncover how epigenetic regulation underpins development in this notorious pest. Mapping methylation dynamics across life stages will shed light on the molecular switches that enable H. armigera to thrive on diverse crops and rapidly evolve resistance to control measures. Potentially, these insights can inform next-generation, epigenetics-aware pest-management strategies and identify potential biomarkers for early surveillance. Required Skills: Solid grounding in molecular biology techniques (DNA extraction, bisulphite treatment, PCR. Willingness to use software such as R (or Python) to analyse large sequencing datasets and visualise methylation patterns.