Molecular analysis of growth, development, reproduction and xenobiotic response in insect pests and disease vectors with a goal to utilize this information for their control is the main focus of Palli laboratory. Our research program covers a wide variety of subject areas including insect physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, endocrinology, toxicology, and genomics. The current areas of our focus include
- Mechanisms and applications of RNA interference,
- Epigenetic, hormonal and nutritional regulation of growth, development, and reproduction and
- Molecular analysis of insecticide resistance.
Visit the Palli Laboratory homepage for more information about research and current personnel.
State Entomologist
As the Department Chair for the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology, I also serve as the State Entomologist of Kentucky. Read more about the program at the Office of the State Entomologist homepage.
CAMTech
I also serve as the Co-director of CAMTech, the Center for Arthropod Management Technologies, a National Science Foundation Industry / University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC).
Scholars@UK
Identification of Carboxylesterase Genes and Function of Three Inducible α-Esterase Genes Involved in Insecticidal Activity of α-Solanine in Phthorimaea operculella
Ji, Y., Yan, J., Palli, S. R. & Gao, Y., Aug 6 2025, In: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 73, 31, p. 19764-19777 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
20E-induced Kr-h1 expression facilitates developmental transitions depending on chromosome accessibility of BR-C enhancers
Long, S., Qiu, Y., Lin, T., Huang, S., Zhang, W., Liu, S., Tian, L., Palli, S. R., Li, S. & Li, K., Aug 12 2025, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 122, 32, p. e2509608122Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Nanoparticles co-delivering double-stranded RNA and insecticide enhance control efficacy and overcome pest resistance
Hu, C., Yu, C., Li, J., Liu, Y., Zeng, Q., Wan, H., He, S., Li, Y., Gao, P., Lv, Y., Zhu, K., Palli, S. R. & Yang, X., Sep 1 2025, In: Chemical Engineering Journal. 519, 165188.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Histone and N-terminal acetyltransferases play important roles in female reproduction and embryogenesis of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum
Sengodan, K. & Palli, S. R., Aug 2025, In: Insect Molecular Biology. 34, 4, p. 570-580 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A testis-specific heat shock protein gene plays a critical role in male fertility in the fall armyworm
Zhao, Y., Wang, P., Cheng, Y., Tian, S., Zuo, J., Fang, Q., Ling, C., Palli, S. R. & Chen, X., Jun 2025, In: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 181, 104332.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Environmental factors affecting RNAi efficacy: Temperature but not plant cultivar influences Colorado potato beetle's response to insecticidal dsRNA
Darrington, M., Solocinski, J., Zhou, S. K., Lecheta, M. C., Palli, S. R., Chen, Y. H. & Teets, N. M., Aug 2025, In: Insect Molecular Biology. 34, 4, p. 581-592 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
β2-tubulin regulates the development and migration of eupyrene sperm in Spodoptera frugiperda
Sun, H., Bu, L. A., Zhang, X. Y., Zhang, Z. R., Su, S. C., Guo, D., Gao, C. F., Palli, S. R., Champer, J. & Wu, S. F., Dec 2025, In: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 82, 1, 191.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Role of histone methylation in insect development: KMT5A regulates ecdysteroid biosynthesis during metamorphosis of Tribolium castaneum
Jiao, Y., Sengodan, K., Chen, J. & Palli, S. R., May 2025, In: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 180, 104316.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Identification of Histone and N-Terminal Acetyltransferases Required for Reproduction and Embryonic Development of Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Balasubramani, S. & Palli, S. R., Aug 2025, In: Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology. 118, 4, e70055.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Gut bacteria in potato tuberworm (Phthorimaea operculella) populations are dominated by Enterococcus spp. and these play a significant role in carbohydrate metabolism and host growth
Zhang, M., Yan, J., Zavala, J. A., Palli, S. R., Smagghe, G. & Gao, Y., Jun 2025, In: Journal of Pest Science. 98, 3, p. 1583-1598 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Knockout BR-C induces premature expression of E93 thus triggering adult differentiation under larval morphology
Liu, C., Wu, M. Z., Zheng, Z. J., Fan, S. T., Tan, J. F., Jiao, Y., Palli, S. R. & Zhu, G. H., Apr 2025, In: Pest Management Science. 81, 4, p. 1923-1933 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Knockout of a testis-specific gene cluster impairs male fertility in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
Wang, P., Zhao, Y., Cheng, Y., Tian, S., Bai, Y., Zuo, J., Palli, S. R. & Chen, X., Apr 2025, In: Pest Management Science. 81, 4, p. 2355-2363 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
N-alpha-acetyltransferase 40 modulates ecdysteroid action through chromatin accessibility changes near the promoters of 20-hydroxyecdysone response genes in Tribolium Castaneum TcA cells
Arya, S. K. & Palli, S. R., Apr 2025, In: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 179, 104285.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Histone deacetylases synergistically regulate juvenile hormone signaling in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Gaddelapati, S. C. & Palli, S. R., Feb 2025, In: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 177, 104256.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Identification and pharmacological characterization of pH-sensitive chloride channels in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
Wang, W., Chen, J. S., He, P. Y., Zhang, M. H., Cao, H. Q., Palli, S. R. & Sheng, C. W., Feb 2025, In: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 177, 104243.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Chronologically inappropriate morphogenesis (Chinmo) is required for maintenance of larval stages of fall armyworm
Chen, X., Koo, J., Arya, S. K. & Palli, S. R., Dec 3 2024, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 121, 49, e2411286121.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Cellular and functional heterogeneity of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) midgut: a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis
Arya, S. K., Harrison, D. A. & Palli, S. R., 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Pest Science. 98, 2, p. 987-1002 16 p., 103496.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Recent advances in understanding of the mechanisms of RNA interference in insects.
Palli, S., 2024, In: Insect Molecular Biology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Proactive resistance management for sustaining the efficacy of RNA interference for pest control.
Palli, S., 2024, In: Journal of Economic Entomology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
RNA modifications in insects
Palli, S., 2024, In: Frontiers in Insect Science. 4, 1448766. doi: 10.3389/finsc.2024.1448766. eCollection 2024. Review. PubMed PMID: 39253349; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11381373.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Novel Delivery Strategies of DsRNA for RNAi-based Control of Wood-Boring Insects
Palli, S. (PI)
6/16/25 → 10/31/26
Project: Research project
6.0339.01 Field testing of dsRNA formula
Palli, S. (PI)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9/30/25 → 9/29/26
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY26 State Entomologist (EPI)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY26 State Entomologist (PHPS) (CL6)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY26 UK Entomology Tick Surveillance Contract
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Novel Delivery Strategies of dsRNA for RNAi-Based Control of Wood-Boring Insects
Palli, S. (PI)
8/1/24 → 6/15/25
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY25-26 State Entomologist (EPI)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY25-26 State Entomologist (PHPS)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY25 UK Entomology Tick Surveillance Contract
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project
Sonoporation-Mediated Delivery of Reagents into Insect Embryos
Teets, N. (PI) & Palli, S. (CoI)
6/1/24 → 5/31/26
Project: Research project
Field Testing of dsRNA Formulations for Controlling ALB
Palli, S. (PI)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9/30/24 → 9/29/25
Project: Research project
Phase III IUCRC at UF: Center for Arthropod Management Technologies - Intestinal Stem Cells: Differentiation and Applications
Palli, S. (PI)
3/1/24 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
Phase III IUCRC at UF: Center for Arthropod Management Technologies - Single Cell Sequencing of Nervous System from Pest Insects
Harrison, D. (PI) & Palli, S. (CoI)
6/1/24 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C3631: FY24 State Entomologist (EPI)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/22 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C3631: FY24 State Entomologist (PHPS)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/22 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C3631: FY24 Entomology Tick Surveillance
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/22 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
The Japanese Beetle Control Near Airports And Cargo Transportation Facilities: Field Testing
Palli, S. (PI)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9/1/23 → 9/30/25
Project: Research project
Phase II IUCRC at UF: Center for Arthropod Management Technologies - Single Cell Sequencing of Nervous System from Pest Insects
Harrison, D. (PI) & Palli, S. (CoI)
1/1/23 → 5/31/25
Project: Research project
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention - VECTOR BORNE
Palli, S. (PI), Sanderson, W. (CoI), Winter, K. (CoI) & Mazur, J. (Former CoI)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
9/30/22 → 9/29/27
Project: Research project
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention
Sanderson, W. (PI), Browning, S. (CoI), Christian, J. (CoI), Jones, K. (CoI), McNeill, S. (CoI), Montross, M. (CoI), Palli, S. (CoI), Sampson, S. (CoI), Sprayberry, S. (CoI), Winter, K. (CoI), Mazur, J. (Former CoI) & Vincent, S. (Former CoI)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
9/30/22 → 9/29/27
Project: Research project