PROFILE

 

KALEEM TARIQ

Associate Professor

Entomology , Garden Campus

Contact Information:

drkaleem@awkum.edu.pk

During PhD I studied the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in spermatogenesis of oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis; I identified miRNAs from the testes and found that normal expression of mitoferrin is indispensable for spermatogenesis and for viable sperm production miR-8-3p regulates mitoferrin gene in the testes of B. dorsalis. I believe my experience in post- transcriptional genes regulation in insects, particularly microRNAs. My research incorporates miRNA/siRNA-based Insect Pest Management System. In addition, I bring expertise in insecticide resistance, its mechanism and molecular based techniques to overcome insecticide resistance issues. Currently, I am working with University of Florida and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop autocidal strains of Caribbean fruit fly Anastrepha suspensa, through piggyBac vectors with new fluorescent protein markers and conditional lethality constructs.