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Michael Sparks
Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory
Computational Biologist

Phone: (301) 504-5443
Fax: (301) 504-5104

(Employee information on this page comes from the REE Directory. Please contact your front office staff to update the REE Directory.)

Projects
Sustainable Insect Pest Management for Urban Agriculture and Landscapes
In-House Appropriated (D)
  Accession Number: 439455

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
A replicated, whole-insect transcriptomic dataset for Nezara viridula (southern green stink bug) spanning developmental stadia and sexes Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Kuhar, D., Weber, D.C., Gundersen, D.E. 2024. A replicated, whole-insect transcriptomic dataset for Nezara viridula (southern green stink bug) spanning developmental stadia and sexes. Data in Brief. Volume 57, December 2024, 111106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.111106.
Transcriptomic resources for Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister), a widespread invasive pest of Brassicales - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Serratia montpellierensis sp. nov., isolated from laboratory reared parasitic wasps Psyttalia lounsburyii and Psyttalia ponerophaga (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blackburn, M.B., Tannieres, M., Sparks, M., Gundersen, D.E., Marie-Claude, B. 2024. Serratia montpellierensis sp. nov., isolated from laboratory reared parasitic wasps Psyttalia lounsburyii and Psyttalia ponerophaga (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Current Microbiology. 81:146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-024-03666-0.
Genomic sequencing of fourteen Bacillus thuringiensis isolates: Insights into geographic variation and phylogenetic implications Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blackburn, M.B., Sparks, M., Mishra, R., Bonning, B.C. 2023. Genomic sequencing of fourteen Bacillus thuringiensis isolates: Insights into geographic variation and phylogenetic implications. BMC Research Notes. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-023-06411-1.
Lymantria dispar iflavirus 1 RNA comprises a large proportion of RNA in adult L. dispar moths Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Wang, Y., Shi, J., Harrison, R.L. 2023. Lymantria dispar iflavirus 1 RNA comprises a large proportion of RNA in adult L. dispar moths. Insects. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050466.
Ancient origin and conserved gene function in terpene pheromone evolution of stink bugs and hemipteran insects Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rebholz, Z., Lancaster, J., Larose, H., Khrimian, A., Luck, K., Sparks, M., Gendreau, K., Shewade, L., Köllner, T., Weber, D.C., Gundersen, D.E., O'Maille, P., Morozov, A., Tholl, D. 2022. Ancient origin and conserved gene function in terpene pheromone evolution of stink bugs and hemipteran insects. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103879.
Analyses of adult transcriptomes from four different populations of the spongy moth, Lymantria dispar L., from China and the USA Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, Y., Sparks, M., Harrison, R.L., Shi, J. 2022. Analyses of adult transcriptomes from four different populations of the spongy moth, Lymantria dispar L., from China and the USA. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-18377-4.
Trypanosomatids associated in the alimentary canal of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grodowitz, M.J., Gundersen, D.E., Elliot, B., Evans, R.M., Sparks, M., Reed, D.A., Miles, G.P., Allen, M.L., Perring, T.M. 2022. Trypanosomatids associated in the alimentary canal of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Journal of Insect Science. 22(1):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieab110.
Pupal cell antibiosis suppresses plant and insect pathogenic fungi and is associated with a bacterium related to Serratia nematodiphila i Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wu, S., Blackburn, M.B., Mizell, R.F., Duncan, L.W., Toews, M.D., Sparks, M., El-Borai, F., Bock, C.H., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2021. Pupal cell antibiosis suppresses plant and insect pathogenic fungi and is associated with a bacterium related to Serratia nematodiphila i. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 184/107655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2021.107655.
Sequencing, assembly and annotation of the whole-insect genome of Lymantria dispar dispar, the European gypsy moth Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Hebert, F.O., Johnston, J.S., Hamelin, R., Cusson, M., Levesque, R., Gundersen, D.E. 2021. Sequencing, assembly and annotation of the whole-insect genome of Lymantria dispar dispar, the European gypsy moth. G3, Genes/Genomes/Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkab150.
Transcriptome sequencing of the striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (F.), reveals numerous sex-specific transcripts and xenobiotic detoxification genes Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Nelson, D.R., Haber, A.I., Weber, D.C., Harrison, R.L. 2020. Transcriptome sequencing of the striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (F.), reveals numerous sex-specific transcripts and xenobiotic detoxification genes. BioTech. https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech9040021.
Chromobacterium paludis sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a Chesapeake Bay marsh Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blackburn, M.B., Farrar, R.R., Sparks, M., Kuhar, D.J., Mowery, J.D., Mitchell, A.D., Gundersen, D.E. 2020. Chromobacterium paludis sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a Chesapeake Bay marsh. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.004509.
Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), genome: underpinnings of polyphagy, insecticide resistance potential and biology of a top worldwide pest Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Gundersen, D.E., Bansal, R., Oppert, B.S., Poelchau, M.F., Childers, C., Rhoades, J.H., Velamuri, A.S., Benoit, J.B., Chao, H., Blackburn, M.B., Johnston, J. 2020. Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), genome: underpinnings of polyphagy, insecticide resistance potential and biology of a top worldwide pest. BMC Genomics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-6510-7.
Expansion of LINEs and species-specific DNA repeats drives genome expansion in Asian gypsy moths Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hebert, F.O., Freschi, L., Blackburn, G., Beliveau, C., Dewar, K., Boyle, B., Gundersen, D.E., Sparks, M., Cusson, M., Hamelin, R.C., Levesque, R.C. 2019. Expansion of LINEs and species-specific DNA repeats drives genome expansion in Asian gypsy moths. Scientific Reports. 9:16413.
Chromobacterium phragmitis sp. nov., an insecticidal bacterium isolated from estuarine marshes Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blackburn, M.B., Farrar, R.R., Sparks, M., Kuhar, D.J., Mowery, J.D., Mitchell, A.D., Gundersen, D.E. 2019. Chromobacterium phragmitis sp. nov., an insecticidal bacterium isolated from estuarine marshes. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.003508.
Differential gene expression in Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) larval and pupal stages Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Allen, M.L., Rhoades, J.H., Sparks, M., Grodowitz, M.J. 2018. Differential gene expression in Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) larval and pupal stages. Insects. 9(4):185.
De novo formation of an aggregation pheromone precursor by an isoprenyl diphosphate synthase-related terpene synthase in the harlequin bug Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lancaster, J., Khrimian, A., Young, S., Lehner, B., Luck, K., Wallingford, A., Ghosh, S.B., Zerbe, P., Marek, P., Sparks, M., Tittiger, C., Kollner, T.G., Weber, D.C., Gundersen, D.E., Kuhar, T., Tholl, D. 2018. De novo formation of an aggregation pheromone precursor by an isoprenyl diphosphate synthase-related terpene synthase in the harlequin bug. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1800008115.
Draft genome sequence of the New Jersey aster yellows strain of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Gundersen, D.E., Lee, I. 2018. Draft genome sequence of the New Jersey aster yellows strain of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’. PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192379.
Arthropod genomics research in the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service: Applications of RNA interference and CRISPR gene editing technologies in pest control - (Review Article)
Gundersen, D.E., Adrianos, S.L., Allen, M.L., Becnel, J.J., Chen, Y., Choi, M.Y., Estep, A., Evans, J.D., Garczynski, S.F., Geib, S.M., Ghosh, S.B., Handler, A.M., Hasegawa, D.K., Heerman, M.C., Hull, J.J., Hunter, W.B., Kaur, N., Li, J., Li, W., Ling, K., Nayduch, D., Oppert, B.S., Perera, O.P., Perkin, L.C., Sanscrainte, N.D., Sim, S.B., Sparks, M., Temeyer, K.B., Vander Meer, R.K., Wintermantel, W.M., James, R.R., Hackett, K.J., Coates, B.S. 2017. Arthropod genomics research in the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service: Applications of RNA interference and CRISPR gene editing technologies in pest control. Trends in Entomology. 13:109-137.
Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes of geographic variants of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, reveals a previously undescribed genotypic entity Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Djoumad, A., Nisole, A., Zahiri, R., Freschi, L., Picq, S., Gundersen, D.E., Sparks, M., Dewar, K., Stewart, D., Maaroufi, H., Levesque, R.C., Hamelin, R.C., Cusson, M. 2017. Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes of geographic variants of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, reveals a previously undescribed genotypic entity. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-14530-6.
Chromobacterium sphagni sp. nov., an insecticidal bacterium isolated from Sphagnum bogs - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blackburn, M.B., Farrar, R.R., Sparks, M., Kuhar, D.J., Mitchell, A.D., Gundersen, D.E. 2017. Chromobacterium muskegensis sp. nov., an insecticidal bacterium isolated from Sphagnum bogs. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 67(9):3417-3422.
A transcriptome survey spanning life stages and sexes of the Harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Rhoades, J.H., Nelson, D.R., Kuhar, D.J., Lancaster, J., Lehner, B., Tholl, D., Weber, D.C., Gundersen, D.E. 2017. A transcriptome survey spanning life stages and sexes of the Harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica. Insects. doi: 10.3390/insects8020055.
Transcriptome of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, halyomorpha halys (stål) (heteroptera: pentatomidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Shelby, K., Kuhar, D.J., Gundersen, D.E. 2014. Transcriptome of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, halyomorpha halys (stål) (heteroptera: pentatomidae). PLoS One. 9(11_:e111646. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111646.
A single vertebrate DNA virus protein disarms invertebrate immunity to RNA virus infection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gammon, D.B., Duraffour, S., Hehnly, H., Rozelle, D.K., Sharma, R., Sparks, M., West, C.C., Andrei, G., Connor, J.H., Conte, J., Doxsey, S., Gundersen, D.E., Marshall, W.L., Silverman, N., Mello, C.C. 2014. A single vertebrate DNA virus protein disarms invertebrate immunity to RNA virus infection. Cell Host and Microbe. eLife 25:3. doi: 10.7554/eLife.02910.
Complete genome sequence of a novel iflavirus from the transcriptome of Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug. Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Gundersen, D.E., Harrison, R.L. 2013. Complete genome sequence of a novel iflavirus from the transcriptome of Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug.. Genome Announcements. 1(6):e00910-13.
Sequence of a novel iflavirus identified in the transcriptome of the brown marmorated stink bug - (Abstract Only)
Sparks, M., Gundersen, D.E., Harrison, R.L. 2013. Sequence of a novel iflavirus identified in the transcriptome of the brown marmorated stink bug. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting. p.101.
Midgut transcriptomic response of the gypsy moth, lymantria dispar, to infection with l. dispar and Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedroviruses - (Abstract Only)
Harrison, R.L., Gundersen, D.E., Sparks, M. 2013. Midgut transcriptomic response of the gypsy moth, lymantria dispar, to infection with l. dispar and Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedroviruses. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting. p.72.
Transcriptome of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larval midgut in response to infection by Bacillus thuringiensis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Blackburn, M.B., Kuhar, D.J., Gundersen, D.E. 2013. Transcriptome of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larval midgut in response to infection by Bacillus thuringiensis. PLoS One. 8(5):e61190.
Transcriptome of the lymantria dispar (gypsy moth) larval midgut and its response to infection by bacillus thuringiensis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Blackburn, M.B., Kuhar, D.J., Gundersen, D.E. 2013. Transcriptome of the lymantria dispar (gypsy moth) larval midgut and its response to infection by bacillus thuringiensis. PLoS One. 8(5):e61190.
Determination and analysis of the genome sequence of Spodoptera littoralis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Breitenbach, J.E., El-Sheikh, E.A., Harrison, R.L., Rowley, D.L., Sparks, M., Gundersen, D.E., Popham, H.J. 2013. Determination and analysis of the genome sequence of Spodoptera littoralis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus. Virus Research. 171(1):194-208.
The Lymantria dispar IPLB-Ld652Y cell line transcriptome comprises numerous virus-associated transcripts. - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Gundersen, D.E. 2011. The Lymantria dispar IPLB-Ld652Y cell line transcriptome comprises numerous virus-associated transcripts.. Viruses. doi: 10.3390/v3112339.
The Lymantria dispar IPLB-Ld652Y cell line transcriptome comprises diverse virus-associated transcripts. - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Gundersen, D.E. 2011. The Lymantria dispar IPLB-Ld652Y cell line transcriptome comprises diverse virus-associated transcripts. Viruses. 3(11): 2339-2350.
Characterization of the rumen microbiota in pre-ruminant calves using metagenomic tools - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Li, R.W., Connor, E.E., Li, C., Baldwin, R.L., Sparks, M. 2011. Characterization of the rumen microbiota in pre-ruminant calves using metagenomic tools. Environmental Microbiology. 14(1):129-139.
Dynamics of the rumen microbiota - (Book / Chapter)
Li, R.W., Sparks, M., Connor, E.E. 2011. Dynamics of the rumen microbiota. In: Li, R.W., editor. Metagenomics and its Applications in Agriculture. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers. p. 135-164.
Towards a more complete metagenomics toolkit - (Book / Chapter)
Sparks, M., Li, R.W. 2011. Towards a more complete metagenomics toolkit. In: Li, R.W. editor. Metagenomics and its Applications in Agriculture. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers. p. 33-45.
Metagenomics detects functional shifts in the bovine rumen microbiota in response to propionate intake - (Book / Chapter)
Sparks, M., Huang, Y., Baldwin, R.L., Connor, E.E., Li, C., Sonstegard, T.S., Schroeder, S.G., Li, R.W. 2011. Metagenomics detects functional shifts in the bovine rumen microbiota in response to propionate intake. In: Li, R.W. editor. Metagenomics and its Applications in Agriculture. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers. p. 165-183.
MaizeGDB Becomes Sequence-centric - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sen, T.Z., Andorf, C.M., Schaeffer, M.L., Harper, E.C., Sparks, M., Duvick, J., Brendel, V., Cannon, E., Campbell, D.A., Lawrence, C.J. 2009. MaizeGDB Becomes Sequence-centric. Database: The Journal of Biological Databases and Curation. doi: 10.1093/database/bap020. p. 1.
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