Beka Chitadze
PhD Student
Curriculum Vitae
| 2024 |
PhD. Student. Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany Title: "Molecular manipulation of host phenotype via regulatory interference", Supervisor: Prof. Susanne Foitzik |
| 2022 - 2024 |
Master of Science in Ecology, Ilia State University, Georgia Thesis title: "Molecular Taxonomy and Biogeography of harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) distributed in Georgia", Supervisor: Prof. David Tarkhnishvili |
| 2018 - 2022 |
Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Ilia State University, Georgia Thesis title: "Phylogenetic analysis of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia distributed in Georgia", Supervisor: Prof. David Tarkhnishvili |
Research Interests
Genetics, Evolution, Entomology
PhD Project
This PhD project investigates how the parasitic cestode Anomotaenia brevis alters the behavior and biology of its intermediate host, the ant Temnothorax nylanderi, by interfering with the host's gene regulation.
Our primary goal is to understand how the parasite's proteins, some of which have gene-regulatory functions and are secreted into the ant’s hemolymph, affect the host at the molecular level.
A central focus will be to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the extended lifespan of infected workers, who live over four times longer than their uninfected nestmates. We will investigate how gene expression and epigenetic modifications contribute to workers’ longevity.
One of the ideas we will examine is whether Anomotaenia brevis infection shifts the ants' odor perception, which plays a crucial role in social interactions and colony behavior. This could provide insights into how the parasite manipulates host behavior to enhance its transmission.
By studying these processes, this project will shed light on the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of how Anomotaenia brevis manipulates its intermediate host, and provide deeper insight into parasite-host interactions.
Publications
Chitadze, B., Bulbulashvili, N., Japaridze, L. G., Drogvalenko, A., Moulet, P., & Seropian, A. (2024). First record of 15 species of Hemiptera (Hexapoda, Insecta) in Georgia. Caucasiana, 3, 127-143.
Seropian, A., Arsenashvili, E., Bulbulashvili, N., Shubashishvili, A., Iankoshvili, G., Todua, M., ... Chitadze, B.,... & Rulik, B. (2023). Into the unknown: the first barcode-assisted checklist of Psocoptera (Insecta, Psocodea) of Georgia with a census on country species richness. ZooKeys, 1168, 77.
Chitadze, B., Arsenashvili, E., & Bulbulashvili, N. (2023). Leptopus hispanus and Erianotus lanosus: the first DNA-assisted records of Leptopodidae (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) for the fauna of Georgia. Caucasiana, 2, 25-28.
Japarashvili, S., Bulbulashvili, N., Seropian, A., Chkhartishvili, T., Iankoshvili, G., Chitadze, B., ... & Memishishi, A. (2023). New and well-forgotten: DNA-assisted records of two beetle (Insecta, Coleoptera) species new for the fauna of Georgia with an update on the distribution of some other little studied taxa. Caucasiana, 2, 63-70.
Contact
Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution
Beka Chitadze
Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15
01.466
Tel.: +49 6131 39 27847
55122 Mainz, Deutschland