Accueil
STAFF
Quentin CHESNAIS
CHESNAIS Quentin
quentin.chesnais@inrae.fr
+33 (0) 6 73 99 29 22
ViVe Team
Research scientist

Personal web pages

Research project: "Viral manipulation," a new target for limiting vector transmission?

With my background in entomology, ecology, and plant pathology, my research aims to better understand the interactions between insect-transmitted plant pathogens, their host plants, and insect vectors. I am particularly interested in the effects of viruses on i) host plant phenotypes, ii) insect vector behavioral and physiological responses, and iii) consequences for virus transmission and dynamics.

My research project within the "Virology and Vection" team (UMR SVQV) aims to exploit genetic diversity in host plants and aphid vectors to understand the basis of "viral manipulation". This project is part of a strategy to develop alternative approaches to combating viral infections. In addition to approaches based on optimizing cropping practices (crop rotations, selection of resistant cultivars, plant certification programs, etc.), an understanding of plant-virus-vector interactions and viral manipulation could lead to the identification and development of additional methods to limit viral transmission.

Coordination   

AGIR (2024-2026, 150K€): Acting on aphid behavior to reduce viral transmission of sugar beet yellows.

The overall aim of this ANR Ecophyto Maturation project is to identify a protection strategy that will enable sustainable management of sugar beet yellows (caused by various viruses transmitted by aphid vectors) and reduce yield losses. The strategy tested proposes to reduce the transmission of viruses, by acting on both the feeding behavior and colonization capacity of aphids on sugar beet. To achieve this, two complementary agro-ecological levers will be worked on: varieties and service plants. Work at INRAE Colmar will focus on identifying beet varieties that alter aphid feeding behavior and viral transmission. The project brings together a consortium of three INRAE research units (SVQV in Colmar, IGEPP in Rennes and PSH in Avignon) and the Institut Technique de la Betterave (ITB), the project coordinator.

Selected publications

  • Verdier M., Chesnais Q., Pirolles E., Blanc S., Drucker M. (2023). The cauliflower mosaic virus transmission helper protein P2 modifies directly the probing behavior of the aphid vector Myzus persicae to facilitate transmission. PLoS Pathogens 19(2): e1011161.
  • Chesnais Q., Golyaev V., Velt A., Rustenholz C., Verdier M., Brault V., Pooggin M., Drucker D. (2022). Transcriptome responses of the aphid vector Myzus persicae are shaped by identities of the host plant and the virus. Peer Community Journal 2, e82.
  • Chesnais Q., Golyaev V., Velt A., Rustenholz C., Brault V., Pooggin M., Drucker D. (2022). Comparative plant transcriptome profiling of Arabidopsis and Camelina infested with Myzus persicae aphids acquiring circulative and non-circulative viruses reveals virus- and plant-specific alterations relevant to aphid feeding behavior and transmission. Microbiology Spectrum 10(4): e00136-22
  • Chesnais Q., Sun P., Mauck K.E. (2022) Advanced infections by cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus encourage whitefly vector colonization while discouraging non‑vector aphid competitors. Journal of Pest Science 95 (1), 231-247
  • Chesnais Q., Verdier M., Burckbuchler M., Brault V., Pooggin M., Drucker M. (2021) Cauliflower mosaic virus protein P6-TAV plays a major role in alteration of aphid vector feeding behaviour but not performance on infected Arabidopsis. Molecular Plant Pathology 22: 911–920.
  • Mauck K.E. & Chesnais Q. (2020). A synthesis of virus-vector associations reveals important deficiencies in studies on host and vector manipulation by plant viruses. Virus Research 285: 197957.
  • Chesnais Q., Caballero Vidal G., Coquelle R., Yvon M., Mauck K.E., Brault V. & A. Ameline. (2020). Post-acquisition effects of viruses on vector behavior are important components of manipulation strategies. Oecologia 194: 429-440.
  • Mauck K.E., Kenney J. & Chesnais Q. (2019). Progress and challenges in identifying molecular mechanisms underlying host and vector manipulation by plant viruses. Current Opinion in Insect Science 33: 7-18.
  • Mauck K.E., Chesnais Q. & L.R. Shapiro (2018). Evolutionary determinants of host and vector manipulation by plant viruses. Advances in Virus Research 101. Chapter 7. 189-250.

Education/Employment

  • 01/2023: Research Scientist in Vector Ecology in Virology and Vection Group (UMR INRAE 1131 SVQV), INRAE Grand Est, Colmar, France
  • 05/2019 - 12/2022: Postdoctoral Researcher in Vector Ecology in Virology and Vection Group (UMR INRAE 1131 SVQV), INRAE Grand Est, Colmar, France
  • 03/2017 - 04/2019: Postdoctoral Researcher in Vector Ecology in the Kerry Mauck Lab, University of California, Riverside, USA
  • 12/2013 - 12/2016: PhD student in Agro-ecology and Ecophysiology in the CNRS Research Unit "Écologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés" (UMR 7058 EDYSAN), University of Picardy Jules Verne, Amiens, France