Cristina Borghesi (PhD)
Office: TIG / 2.40
Tel.: +49 641 99-35903
Justus Liebig University Giessen
Institute for Insect Biotechnology
Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection
Winchester Str. 2
35394 Giessen
Curriculum Vitae
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| 02/2023 - to date |
Ph.D. student at the the Department for Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen. |
| 10/2020 - 01/2023 |
MSc in Insect Biotechnology and Bioresources at Justus-Liebig-University Giessen. Thesis at the Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection: “Functional characterization of the pigmentation gene yellow-y in the spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii)” |
| 09/2016 - 02/2020 |
BSc in Agricultural Technologies at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, Italy. Thesis at the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences – University of Maribor (Slovenia): “Cultivation of Triticum spelta in different agricultural systems: soil arthropods and agronomic parameters analysis” |
Ph.D. Project
Development of specifically sex-linked selectable markers using gene editing technologies in the agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata
The objective is to develop a genetic system via CRISPR Cas9 gene editing technology to implement sexes separation (also called sexing) in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs in the species Ceratitis capitata.
The project is part of “REACT” which is founded by European Union's Horizon Research and Innovation Programme.
Poster
“Developing generic sexing systems for insect pest control via Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs” Borghesi C, Aumann RA, Prates LHF, Schetelig MF, Entomologentagung 2023, Bolzano, Italy
Professional experience
During my master studies, from April 2021 until October 2022, I worked as academic assistant (Hiwi) at the Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection for the rearing of the insect species Drosophila suzukii and Drosophila melanogaster. Within this period (from January 2022) I started also to work as Hiwi with the agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata.
As part of my work assignments, I was responsible for maintaining all life stages of both wild-type and transgenic strains of these species, ensuring their survival and optimal fitness. During this period, I underwent training and gained extensive experience in fluorescent microscopy for breeding various transgenic lines and maintaining the genetic purity of the fly stock.