{"id":84,"date":"2022-10-14T20:03:14","date_gmt":"2022-10-14T20:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.agrilife.org\/gadhavelab\/?page_id=84"},"modified":"2026-02-14T17:01:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T17:01:47","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.agrilife.org\/gadhavelab\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div><\/span>
\n
\n

Research<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Research areas of The Gadhave Lab<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


The Gadhave Lab studies insect-vectored plant diseases as dynamic systems shaped by biological interactions, environmental variability, and management practices. We integrate insect vector biology, plant virology, and molecular approaches to understand cross-talk among vectors, viruses, and host plants\u2014and how these processes can be predicted and sustainably disrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our work generates mechanistic insight that scales, linking molecular processes to population-level dynamics and actionable management outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We organize our research around a unified objective: to build predictive and mechanistic frameworks for the sustainable control of insect-borne plant diseases across scales.<\/em><\/strong>

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Framework<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Molecular Pathosystems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mechanisms governing virus\u2013vector\u2013plant interactions<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

At the core of vector-borne disease are molecular interactions among insects, pathogens, and host plants. We investigate the biological processes that regulate viral pathogenesis, transmission, and host immune evasion, establishing mechanistic foundations for predictive pest control.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>

EXEMPLAR PROJECT<\/h3><\/div>

Funding: NSF-NIFA Plant Biotic Interactions Program<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Molecular basis of Sw-5b resistance-breaking by tomato spotted wilt virus<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Molecular regulation of virus transmission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mechanistic studies dissect how viruses move within and between vector and plant hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host plant resistance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We examine how plants respond to viral infection and transmission at molecular and physiological levels.
<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Determinants of vector competence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We identify molecular factors that influence an insect\u2019s ability to transmit plant viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scaling molecular processes to epidemiological outcomes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Molecular findings are linked to population-level transmission dynamics and outbreak potential.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n



RNAi-Based Pest Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Targeted, insecticide-reducing control strategies<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

We investigate RNA interference (RNAi) as a precision tool for suppressing insect vectors and viruses with high efficacy. Our work focuses on identifying biologically essential gene targets and evaluating RNAi-based strategies within realistic agricultural contexts.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>

EXEMPLAR PROJECT<\/h3><\/div>

Funding: Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research New Innovator Award<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Novel RNA therapy against TSWV & Western flower thrips<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Identification and validation of RNAi targets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Candidate genes are experimentally validated to determine their effectiveness and specificity in reducing pest and virus performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Functional genomics of insect vectors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We identify genes critical for fitness and pathogen transmission using molecular and genomic approaches.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Delivery, stability, and efficacy of RNAi constructs in agricultural systems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We evaluate how RNAi constructs persist and function under controlled environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integration of RNAi into sustainable pest management frameworks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RNAi strategies are assessed as components of broader IPM systems rather than standalone interventions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n



Integrated Surveillance & Phenotyping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scalable measurement of pest and pathogen dynamics<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

We develop integrated pathogen detection, surveillance and phenotyping pipelines that combine field monitoring, molecular diagnostics, and quantitative analytics to capture pest and pathogen dynamics across spatial and temporal scales.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>

EXEMPLAR PROJECT<\/h3><\/div>

Funding: United States Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Multistate Program<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"plant,
Integrative strategies for TSWV\/thrips\u00a0surveillance, detection and management\u00a0<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Field-based monitoring and trapping systems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We design and deploy structured sampling networks to quantify vector populations and disease incidence in real-world settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imaging and machine learning methods for pattern detection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Computational models identify environmental drivers and early warning signals embedded in complex datasets.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

CRISPR-enabled diagnostics for rapid pathogen detection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rapid molecular assays are developed to detect viruses in vectors and plants with high sensitivity and specificity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spectral, imaging and sensor-based phenotyping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We use optical and sensor technologies to detect plant stress and disease signatures at fine resolution.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n



Ecological Intervention & Integrated Pest Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

System-level strategies for sustainable vector control<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

We translate mechanistic and surveillance insights into ecological and integrated pest management strategies that operate at system scale. Our work examines how environmental variability, agronomic practices, and biological interactions shape vector populations and disease risk.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>

EXEMPLAR PROJECT<\/h3><\/div>

Funding: United States Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Multistate Program<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"plant,
Integrative strategies for TSWV\/thrips\u00a0surveillance, detection and management\u00a0<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Landscape and agronomic effects on transmission risk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Field-scale studies evaluate how management practices alter pest & disease pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Environmental drivers of vector population dynamics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We quantify how climate, cropping systems, and habitat structure influence vector abundance and movement.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Ecologically informed intervention strategies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Intervention approaches are designed to exploit biological vulnerabilities rather than rely solely on chemical suppression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integration of predictive tools into IPM frameworks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Forecasting and diagnostic tools are incorporated into decision-support systems to enable proactive management.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>
\n

Cross-Cutting Platforms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Across all pillars, the lab employs shared analytical and experimental platforms that enable integration and scalability:<\/p>\n\n\n\n