Molecular Biology
Nucleic-acid workflows, molecular cloning, recombinant DNA technology and functional characterisation of genes and proteins.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Khadija Batool, Ph.D.
Molecular Biologist · Medical Entomologist
Department of Entomology, University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Molecular Biology
- Vector Biology
- Host–Microbe Interactions
- Transcriptomics
I study molecular and tick biology, host–microbe interactions and vector biology, combining molecular techniques with biological data analysis. My work spans molecular diagnostics, gene expression, transcriptome analysis and 16S rRNA microbiome analysis, with an interest in interdisciplinary research that bridges molecules and organisms to generate insights relevant to health and biotechnology.
01 — Profile
About
From molecules to organisms: a decade of research across molecular genetics, vector biology and host–microbe systems.
I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Entomology at the University of Arizona. My research focuses on molecular and tick molecular biology, host–microbe interactions and vector biology, combining molecular techniques with biological data analysis. Current work includes molecular diagnostics, gene expression, transcriptome data analysis and 16S rRNA microbiome analysis.
I hold a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, where my dissertation examined the mechanism of lectin in Aedes aegypti against Cry toxin. Across three postdoctoral appointments in China and the United States, I have built experience in molecular genetics, recombinant DNA technology, gene-expression analysis, comparative transcriptomics, and protein expression and purification, together with the development of experimental systems in non-model organisms.
At the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University I constructed fluorescent recombinant baculovirus vectors using Bac-to-Bac workflows and established infection-based expression systems across multiple insect cell lines, using comparative transcriptomics to characterise host responses in permissive and semi-permissive lepidopteran systems. Earlier, at Southern Medical University, I developed recombinant densovirus constructs carrying heterologous Bacillus thuringiensis toxin fragments and evaluated their pathogenicity, efficacy and stability against Aedes albopictus.
I design and optimise experiments independently, interpret complex molecular datasets, publish peer-reviewed research, collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and supervise junior researchers. I am motivated by interdisciplinary questions that connect molecular mechanism to organismal outcome.
02 — Academic training
Education
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2019
Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China
Dissertation: Mechanism of lectin in Aedes aegypti against Cry toxin.
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2014
M.Sc., Biology
Arid Agriculture University, Pakistan
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2013
B.Ed.
Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan
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2010
B.Sc., Zoology, Botany and Applied Psychology
University of the Punjab, Pakistan
03 — Career
Academic Positions
Research appointments across the United States and China, spanning molecular genetics, virology and vector biology.
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Oct 2025 — Present Current
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Entomology, University of Arizona · Tucson, AZ, USA
- Conduct molecular research on tick–microbe and host–microbe interactions using nucleic-acid extraction, PCR, RT-qPCR and gene-expression analysis.
- Run controlled tick experiments involving artificial membrane feeding, adult/nymph/larval handling, dissection, tissue processing and organismal bioassays.
- Perform microbial detection and molecular analyses supporting tick-microbiome and alpha-gal-related studies.
- Evaluate Bacillus thuringiensis-based approaches through stage-specific bioassays and survival/mortality assessment.
- Develop and troubleshoot experimental workflows, coordinate laboratory activities and train students in molecular and organismal methods.
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Aug 2022 — Sep 2025
Postdoctoral Associate
Boyce Thompson Institute / Cornell University · Ithaca, NY, USA
- Engineered fluorescent recombinant baculovirus vectors using Bac-to-Bac workflows, bacterial transformation, bacmid preparation and insect-cell transfection.
- Generated, amplified and quantified viral stocks; performed endpoint-dilution assays, titration, viral DNA preparation and molecular characterisation.
- Maintained multiple insect cell systems to evaluate infection efficiency, host compatibility, vector performance and biological response.
- Applied comparative transcriptomics to identify host-response and regulatory patterns in permissive and semi-permissive lepidopteran systems.
- Prepared manuscripts, scientific figures, technical reports and presentations in collaboration with multidisciplinary researchers.
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Oct 2019 — Feb 2022
Postdoctoral Researcher
Southern Medical University · Guangzhou, China
- Developed recombinant mosquito densovirus constructs carrying heterologous Bacillus thuringiensis toxin fragments and confirmed constructs using molecular methods.
- Applied cloning, recombinant DNA workflows, RT-PCR/RT-qPCR, cell-based analysis, growth-curve analysis and mosquito larval bioassays.
- Maintained Aedes experimental systems for controlled infection, dose-response and efficacy studies; optimised exposure conditions and interpreted outcomes.
- Assessed construct pathogenicity, efficacy and stability in laboratory and applied biocontrol settings.
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Sep 2016 — Mar 2019
Research Assistant
Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University · Fuzhou, China
- Expressed, extracted, purified and characterised recombinant proteins using bacterial expression systems.
- Performed cloning, PCR, RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, Far-Western blotting, ligand blotting, ELISA, SDS-PAGE and Bradford assays.
- Investigated transcriptional responses, toxin–receptor interactions and molecular mechanisms of insect susceptibility and resistance.
- Co-supervised undergraduate students in molecular biology techniques, biosafety, recordkeeping and laboratory research practice.
04 — Research
Research Interests
Interdisciplinary work bridging molecules, microbes and organisms.
Tick Molecular Biology
Molecular studies of ticks and their associated microorganisms, including artificial feeding, dissection and tissue-level analysis.
Medical Entomology & Vector Biology
Vectors of medical importance, organismal bioassays and biological control approaches for mosquitoes and ticks.
Host–Microbe Interactions
Molecular dialogue between hosts, pathogens and symbionts, including host-response and infection studies.
Molecular Diagnostics
PCR, RT-PCR and RT-qPCR assay design and optimisation for microbial detection and molecular confirmation.
Gene Expression
Quantitative expression analysis, transcriptional regulation and interpretation of differential-expression data.
Transcriptomics
Comparative transcriptomics and transcriptional-response analysis in model and non-model biological systems.
16S rRNA Microbiome Analysis
Microbial community profiling and interpretation, from microbial nucleic-acid preparation to downstream analysis.
Genomics & Functional Genomics
Linking sequence-level information to biological function through targeted molecular and cell-based assays.
05 — Programmes
Research Projects
Research programmes carried out across current and previous appointments.
2025 — Present
Tick–microbe and host–microbe interactions
University of Arizona
Molecular investigation of ticks and their associated microorganisms using nucleic-acid extraction, PCR, RT-qPCR and gene-expression analysis, supported by artificial membrane feeding, dissection, tissue processing and organismal bioassays. Includes microbial detection work supporting tick-microbiome and alpha-gal-related studies.
2022 — 2025
Recombinant baculovirus vectors and comparative transcriptomics
Boyce Thompson Institute / Cornell University
Construction of fluorescent recombinant baculovirus vectors via Bac-to-Bac workflows and establishment of infection-based expression systems in multiple insect cell lines, with comparative transcriptomics used to characterise host-response and regulatory patterns in permissive and semi-permissive lepidopteran hosts.
2019 — 2022
Recombinant densovirus biocontrol of Aedes albopictus
Southern Medical University
Development of recombinant mosquito densovirus constructs carrying heterologous Bacillus thuringiensis toxin fragments, with evaluation of pathogenicity, efficacy and stability through cell-based assays, growth-curve analysis and mosquito larval bioassays in laboratory and applied biocontrol settings.
2016 — 2019
Lectin–Cry toxin interactions in Aedes aegypti
Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, FAFU
Doctoral and research-assistant work on toxin–receptor interactions and the molecular mechanisms of insect susceptibility and resistance, combining recombinant protein expression and purification with Western, Far-Western and ligand blotting, ELISA and transcriptomic analysis of the mosquito response to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins.
06 — Scholarship
Publications
Peer-reviewed journal articles, review articles and manuscripts under review. Author lists follow the published record.
Manuscripts Under Review
Comparative transcriptomics of baculovirus AcMNPV infections in permissive and semi-permissive lepidopteran hosts
Journal of Virology · Submitted, 2026
Journal Articles
An ovary-enriched piRNA controls ovarian development via Gadd45a–JNK-mediated nurse-cell apoptosis in the arbovirus vector Aedes albopictus
Insect Science · 2026
Densovirus oil suspension significantly improves the efficacy and duration of killing the vector mosquito Aedes albopictus
Viruses · Volume 14 · 2022
Recombinant mosquito densovirus with Bti toxins significantly improves pathogenicity against Aedes albopictus
Toxins · Volume 14 · 2022
Role of lectin in the response of Aedes aegypti against Bt toxin
Frontiers in Immunology · Volume 10 · 2022
Function of residue Leucine-6 in modulating Cry11Aa toxicity in Aedes aegypti
Frontiers in Immunology · Volume 13 · 2022
RecG is involved with the resistance of Bt to UV
Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology · Volume 167 · 2020
CTLGA9 interacts with ALP1 and APN receptors to modulate Cry11Aa toxicity in Aedes aegypti
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · Volume 67 · 2019
Function of Aedes aegypti galectin-6 in modulation of Cry11Aa toxicity
Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology · Volume 162 · 2019
Cloning, expression and activity of ATP-binding protein in Bacillus thuringiensis toxicity modulation against Aedes aegypti
Parasites & Vectors · Volume 12 · 2019
Transcriptomic analysis of Aedes aegypti in response to mosquitocidal Bacillus thuringiensis LLP29 toxin
Scientific Reports · Volume 8 · 2018
C-type lectin-20 interacts with ALP1 receptor to reduce Cry toxicity in Aedes aegypti
Toxins · Volume 10 · 2018
Aedes aegypti galectin competes with Cry11Aa for binding to ALP1 to modulate Cry toxicity
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · Volume 66 · 2018
Comparison and mechanism of the UV-resistant mosquitocidal Bt mutant LLP29-M19
Journal of Medical Entomology · Volume 55 · 2018
Alimentary tract transcriptome analysis of the tea geometrid, Ectropis obliqua (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
Journal of Economic Entomology · Volume 111 · 2018
Cry11Aa interacts with the ATP-binding protein from Culex quinquefasciatus to improve the toxicity
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · Volume 65 · 2017
Review Articles
Microbial-based biocontrol of Fusarium species causing wheat crown rot: current status and future prospects
Biological Control · 2026
Bacilli: the keystone biocontrol agents eradicating phytopathogens
Research & Reviews: Journal of Microbiology & Virology · Volume 13 · 2023
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A complete and continuously updated record is available on Google Scholar.
07 — Recognition
Awards, Fellowships & Honours
China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Fellowship
Grant No. 2020M672715
Ph.D. Scholarship
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University · 2015 — 2019
First Position, Winter Symposium
College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University · 2019
Excellent Academic Report
Nankai University · 2018
08 — Teaching
Teaching & Mentoring
Teaching Assistant — Biocontrol (Graduate Course)
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China · Sep 2016 — Apr 2018
- Supported laboratory demonstrations and literature discussions.
- Guided student research projects and presentations.
- Evaluated student reports.
Student Supervision & Training
- Train students in molecular and organismal methods at the University of Arizona.
- Contribute to student training and laboratory research activities as part of current postdoctoral duties.
- Co-supervised undergraduate researchers at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in molecular biology techniques, protocol development, biosafety, recordkeeping and laboratory research practice.
09 — Community
Professional Service
Peer Review
Reviewer for the following peer-reviewed journals:
- Pest Management Science
- Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
- PLOS ONE
- Microorganisms
- Genes
- Agrochemicals
Professional Memberships
- Member, Entomological Society of America
- Member, American Society for Virology
Certifications & Professional Training
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2026
Basic Biosafety Protection Course
University of Arizona
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2025
Bloodborne Pathogens and Universal Precautions (OSHA compliant)
University of Arizona
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2022
Responsible Conduct of Research
CITI Program / Cornell University
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2022
Laboratory Safety, Hazard Communication, Chemical Waste Disposal and Cryogen Safety
Cornell University
10 — Expertise
Technical Skills
Molecular Biology
- DNA & RNA extraction
- PCR
- RT-PCR
- RT-qPCR
- Gene-expression analysis
- Primer design
- Nucleic-acid quantification
- Molecular cloning
- TA cloning
- Plasmid & vector construction
- Transformation
- Transfection
- Transduction
- Bacmid preparation
- Gel-based analysis
Tick Molecular Biology & Medical Entomology
- Tick dissection
- Artificial membrane feeding
- Mosquito & tick handling
- Insect culture support
- Stage-specific bioassays
- Dose–response testing
- Mortality & survival assessment
- Controlled infection studies
- Sample preparation for molecular assays
Microbiology & Microbiome
- Microbial DNA & RNA preparation
- 16S rRNA analysis & interpretation
- Microbial detection
- Host–microbe studies
- Host–pathogen studies
Virology & Cell Culture
- Recombinant vector construction
- Bac-to-Bac transformation
- Transfection in cell lines
- Virus amplification in cell lines
- Endpoint dilution assay
- Titration
- Viral DNA preparation
- SEAP assay
- Insect cell lines (Sf9, Tnms42, HzAM1, HzGUT-AW1, C6/36)
Protein Expression & Characterisation
- Protein expression in cell lines & E. coli
- Protein purification
- Western blot
- Far-Western blot
- Ligand blot
- ELISA
- SDS-PAGE
- Bradford assay
- Microscopy
Data Analysis & Software
- Transcriptome data analysis
- Microbiome data analysis
- Comparative transcriptomics
- Statistical analysis
- R
- GraphPad Prism
- SPSS
- SnapGene
- Geneious Prime
- DNASTAR
- Discovery Studio
- PyMOL
- Microsoft Excel, Word & PowerPoint
11 — Updates
News
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2026
Manuscript “Comparative transcriptomics of baculovirus AcMNPV infections in permissive and semi-permissive lepidopteran hosts” submitted to the Journal of Virology.
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2026
Co-authored article on an ovary-enriched piRNA controlling ovarian development in Aedes albopictus published in Insect Science.
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2026
Review on microbial-based biocontrol of Fusarium species causing wheat crown rot published in Biological Control.
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2026
Completed the Basic Biosafety Protection Course at the University of Arizona.
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Oct 2025
Joined the Department of Entomology at the University of Arizona as a Postdoctoral Research Associate.
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Sep 2025
Concluded a three-year postdoctoral appointment at the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University.
12 — Get in touch
Contact
I welcome enquiries about research collaboration, scientific discussion and academic opportunities.
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Email kbatool@arizona.edu
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Telephone +1 607-319-1547
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Institution Department of Entomology,
University of Arizona -
Location Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Google Scholar Publication profile