Dr Bartek Troczka

I completed my BSc in Biochemistry at Aberystwyth University and then went on to do my PhD at Rothamsted Research in partnership with Cardiff University to understand the molecular target and emerging resistance to diamide insecticides. Afterwards, I continued working at Rothamsted on a post-doctoral project investigating molecular determinants of insecticide tolerance in bees and bumblebees, where I got my first hands-on experience investigating cytochrome P450s. After completion of the project, I briefly moved on to work for Oxitec Ltd. helping to develop transgenic insect strains for control of agricultural pests such as fall armyworm. From Oxitec I relocated to the University of Exeter, at their Cornwall campus to investigate molecular mechanisms of host-shift and xenobiotic tolerance in a global crop pest peach potato aphid Myzus persicae working under Professor Chris Bass. My main research interests are around how small xenobiotic compounds interact with insects and what strategies insects employ to protect themselves from harmful substances. To explore these themes, I have been awarded independent BBSRC Discovery Fellowship focusing on functionally characterising the P450ome of a global crop pest Myzus persicae.