Grbić Lab
The Spider Mite Team

Professor | PI

Dr. Vojislava Grbić is an expert in plant–herbivore interactions, molecular plant biology, and spider mite genomics. Her research integrates genomics, metabolomics, and molecular tools to uncover the mechanisms of mite adaptation, pesticide resistance, and plant defense, as well as to advance Tetranychus urticae as a chelicerate model organism. She also contributes to the identification and characterization, and assessment of pest potential of emerging mite species, working closely with government agencies, industry partners, and Ontario’s growers to develop science-based spider mite management strategies that support sustainable agriculture in Canada.

Research Areas

• Arabidopsis developmental genetics
• Genomics of plant-pest interaction
• Spider mite biology and evolution
• Pesticide resistance mechanisms
• Plant defense responses
• Biotechnology

Degrees and Institutions

• PhD (Genetics), University of Wisconsin
• MSc (Plant Genetics), University of Novi Sad
• BSc (Plant Breeding), University of Novi Sad

Teaching

• Biology 3593B – Genetic Engineering
• Biology 4950G – Seminar in Genetics

Professor

Dr. Miodrag Grbić is a leading expert in arthropod genomics and plant–herbivore interactions. His group has developed Tetranychus urticae (Two-Spotted Spider Mite) as a model arthropod herbivore, studying its rapid life cycle, host range of over 1000 plants, and mechanisms of pesticide resistance. His research integrates genomics, metabolomics, and molecular tools to advance spider mite biology, genome analysis, environmentally sound pest control strategies, and biotechnology applications for sustainable agriculture.

Research Areas

• Arthropod genomics and spider mite biology
• Evolution of developmental mechanisms
• RNAi-based pest control
• Spider mite silk as natural bionanomaterial
• Molecular plant–herbivore interactions
• Biotechnology applications for sustainable agriculture

Degrees and Institutions

• Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, Canada (1997–2003)
• Adjunct Professor, Wayne State University, USA (2003–present)
• Human Frontier Postdoctoral Fellow, Univ. of Cambridge, UK (1996–1998)
• NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA (1995–1996)
• Ph.D. Developmental Biology & Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA (1989–1995)
• M.Sc. Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (1985–1988)
• B.Sc. Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (1979–1983)

Teaching

• Biology 4510G – Selected Topics in Genetics
• Biology 4560B – Human Molecular Genetics

Research Scientist

Dr. Vladimir Zhurov is a Research Scientist at Western University with extensive experience in genomics and molecular biology, particularly in studying plant–pest interactions. He has been part of the Genomics in Agricultural Pest Management (GAP-M) consortium, contributing to comparative genomics and transcriptomics of spider mites. His research integrates RNAi methodologies for pest control, genome optical mapping, and bioinformatic analyses.

Research Areas

• Functional genomics
• Molecular biology
• Plant–pest interactions
• RNA interference (RNAi)
• Bioinformatics
• Experimental design and data analysis

Degrees and Institutions

• Research Scientist, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, Canada (2023 – Present)
• Research Associate, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, Canada (2012 – 2023)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, Canada (2010 – 2012)
• Postdoctoral Associate, Robarts Research Institute, Canada (2006 – 2010)
• PhD in Biology, Western University (2005)
• MSc in Biology, Western University (2001)
• BSc in Biology, St. Petersburg State University (1997)

Alumni/Affiliate Researcher
(currently a postdoc at the University of La Rioja, Spain)

I study plant-herbivore interaction for the purpose of identifying effective plant defence responses against pests and appropriate molecular targets of pests that can be used in developing plant protection strategies. My work has focused on identifying defences that act directly against the herbivore Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite). My past research involved characterization of spider mite strains following adaptation to new hosts, including Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress), and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and looking into what mechanisms are involved in the adaptiation process. To do this work, I have gained expertise in many techniques used in molecular genetics research, including transcriptomics, RT-qPCR, and reverse genetics technology like environmental RNAi. My goal is to encorporate the findings of my research into the generation of pest-resistant crop varieties and/or protection agents to be used in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.

Research Areas

• dsRNA pesticide research
I am working towards understanding the variables that need to be considered in generating an effective RNAi based pesticide against spider mites, including route of exposure and window of effectiveness experiments.

Degrees and Institutions

• BSc, MSc, PhD (Western University, Canada)

Postdoctoral Associate

I am currently a Postdoctoral Associate with expertise in biotechnology, leading our lab’s pesticide resistance project, where we develop molecular tools to detect and monitor mite resistance. I am also involved in studying the population dynamics of spider mites in greenhouse and soybean production, which recently led to the discovery of a new spider mite species! Alongside these projects, I’m heavily involved in developing RNAi-based acaricides in collaboration with GreenLight Biosciences. I also love teaching, and I’ve had the opportunity to train over 10 undergraduate students in the lab. I’m passionate about research that brings practical solutions to growers and the agricultural community.

Research Areas

• Mite resistance to pesticides
• RNAi-based acaricides

Degrees and Institutions

• BSc in Biology, MSc and PhD in Biotechnology (University of Taquari Valley - Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)

Postdoctoral Fellow

I am a research scientist working on the study of plant–pathogen and plant–pest interactions, aiming to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for crop protection. Currently, my research focuses on understanding plant defense responses against spider mites, as well as the strategies mites use to cope with plant toxic compounds. To address these questions, I use a combination of molecular and biotechnological approaches, including gene expression analysis, metabolomic profiling, and reverse genetics. My aim is to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for improved plant resilience and crop protection.

Research Areas

• Molecular biology
• Targeted and untargeted metabolomics
• RNAi-based reverse genetics
• Plant-pest and plant-pathogen interaction
• Plant Induced-Resistance and Priming

Degrees and Institutions

• Postdoctoral associate at the National Centre for Biotechnology (Madrid, Spain)
• PhD in Plant biology and crop protection (Universitat Jaume I, Spain)
• MSc in Agrobiotechnology (Universidad de Salamanca, Spain)
• BSc in Agrifood engineering (Universitat Jaume I, Spain)

BSc in Biology|Research Assistant
Cell and Molecular Biology

I am a Research Assistant in the lab’s pesticide resistance group. My primary project focuses on developing a molecular diagnostic assay (allele-specific qPCR) targeting a resistance-conferring SNP to rapidly detect etoxazole resistance in populations of two-spotted spider mites. In addition to this work, I conduct various molecular analyses and bioassays to detect resistance to multiple pesticides in mite populations. Growing up on a cash crop farm, I have seen firsthand the impact that mites and other pests can have on crop quality and yields, motivating my interest in developing practical, genetics-based tools for integrated pest management.

Research Areas

• Molecular diagnostics
• Pesticide resistance
• Integrated Pest Management
• RNAi-based acaricides

Degrees and Institutions

• BSc in Biology, Honours Specialization in Genetics from University of Western Ontario

PhD Candidate
Cell and Molecular Biology

I study Arabidopsis-mite interactions. On the plant side, I am investigating the chemical complexity of Arabidopsis defenses, with a focus on phenylpropanoids and flavonoids. I use metabolomics and toxicity screens to identify chemical defenses. Conversely, I am also studying mite counteradaptations to plant chemical defenses, with a focus on mite intradiol dioxygenases. I use RNAi as a reverse genetics tool to study the function of these enzymes.

Research Areas

• Untargeted metabolomics
• Targeted metabolomics
• Phytochemistry
• RNAi

Degrees and Institutions

• BSc in Biology, Honors Specialization in Genetics (Western University, Canada)

Agronomist | PhD Candidate
Cell and Molecular Biology

Project: Indole glucosinolate-derived products as Arabidopsis defenses and the GST-mediated detoxification response in the Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae).

My project investigates which indole glucosinolate-derived products (IGDs) contribute to the defense of Arabidopsis against the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), as well as how TSSM counteracts these chemical barriers. To identify key defensive metabolites, I use Arabidopsis mutants with modified IGD profiles, combined with the oral delivery of individual IGDs to the mites, to assess their biological impact. We apply metabolomic profiling of mite extracts to characterize compound modifications and detoxification pathways. Additionally, candidate detoxification genes are further studied through environmental RNA interference.

Research Areas

• Molecular biology
• RNAi-based reverse-genetics
• Targeted and untargeted metabolomics
• Plant-herbivore interactions

Degrees and Institutions

• BSc in Agricultural Science and Technologies (University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy)
• MSc in Plant Medicine (University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy)

Entomologist | PhD Candidate
Ecology and Evolution

Project: Characterization of the growing diversity of spider mite pest species in southeastern Ontario agriculture.

My project explores the spider mite pest community in Ontario by analyzing their life traits and damage patterns, while employing molecular tools to identify species and evaluate their resistance to both synthetic and RNAi-based pesticides.

Research Areas

• Integrated Pest Management
• Life-History Traits
• Plant–Mite Interactions
• Pesticide Resistance (Synthetic and RNAi-Based)

Degrees and Institutions

• BSc in Agronomy (Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil)
• MSc in Entomology (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States)

MSc Student
Cell and Molecular Biology

Research Areas

• Plant-Pest Interaction

Degrees and Institutions