Characterization of partenogenetic embryo development in the context of symbiosis using transcriptome analysis in the pea aphid model

Aphids are major pests of plants in temperate regions, especially by vectoring plant pathogens. Their success as crop pests principally arises from two characteristics: (1) their phenomenal reproductive rates by parthenogenesis during spring and summer and (2) their obligatory symbiotic bacteria Buchnera aphidicola, which provide aphids with essential amino acids lacking in their diet and contribute to aphids development and reproduction. Both pea aphid and Buchnera genomes have been recently sequenced and annotated, bringing this model of symbiosis to full genomic status. The availability of genomic data and tools allows the implementation of novel functional genomics research approaches to study the molecular mechanisms underlying embryo development in a parthenogenetic and symbiotic model organism.