Reddy Palli
Entomology Department Chair; State Entomologist and Interim Chair, Plant Pathology
Professional Biography
Molecular analysis of growth, development, reproduction and xenobiotic response in insect pests and disease vectors with a goal to utilize this information for their control is the main focus of Palli laboratory. Our research program covers a wide variety of subject areas including insect physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, endocrinology, toxicology, and genomics. The current areas of our focus include
- Mechanisms and applications of RNA interference,
- Epigenetic, hormonal and nutritional regulation of growth, development, and reproduction and
- Molecular analysis of insecticide resistance.
Visit the Palli Laboratory homepage for more information about research and current personnel.
State Entomologist
As the Department Chair for the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology, I also serve as the State Entomologist of Kentucky. Read more about the program at the Office of the State Entomologist homepage.
CAMTech
I also serve as the Co-director of CAMTech, the Center for Arthropod Management Technologies, a National Science Foundation Industry / University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC).
Scholars@UK
A Testis-Specific Aralkylamine N-Acetyltransferase Regulates Dimorphic Sperm Function and Male Fertility in Moths
Sun, H., Huang, P. Y., Zhang, Z. R., Gao, C. F., Palli, S. R. & Wu, S. F., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Advanced Science.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Histone Deacetylases Are Required for Aedes aegypti Female Reproduction and Embryonic Development
Balasubramani, S. & Palli, S. R., Mar 2026, In: Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology. 121, 3, e70139.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
County-level surveillance for the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and Rickettsia species in Kentucky
Vandegriff, C. W., Ryoo, J. S., Carrasquilla, M. C., Pasternak, A. R., Sanderson, W. T. & Palli, S. R., Dec 2026, In: Scientific Reports. 16, 1, 7404.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Advancing insect research through cell line transcriptomics
Arya, S. K., Palli, S. R. & Goodman, C. L., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology - Animal.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Single-cell transcriptomics of the Drosophila ring gland identifies the SoxN–Vvl complex as a key regulator of juvenile hormone biosynthesis
Luo, Y., Chen, N., Gao, Y., Luo, W., Liu, S., Li, Y., Wang, H., Gao, X., Chen, J., Ye, H., King-Jones, K., Palli, S. R., Li, S. & Liu, S., Feb 2026, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 123, 6, e2520504123.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
RNA interference: Basic science to applications in pest management
Palli, S. R., Koo, J. & Moola, A. K., Jan 1 2025, Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science. p. V5:160-V5:179Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Histone acetylation homeodynamics navigates cell survival and apoptosis
Li, K., Tian, L., Cao, W., Zhang, J., Zhang, W., Lin, T., Huang, S., Qiu, Y., Ruan, Z., Deng, J., Long, S., Palli, S. R. & Li, S., Dec 2025, In: Nature Communications. 16, 1, 11358.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The expanding toolkit of insect cell culture: a new era in biotechnology
Arya, S. K., Goodman, C. L. & Palli, S. R., Apr 2026, In: Current Opinion in Insect Science. 74, 101465.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Insect Cell Lines and RNAi
Arya, S. K. & Palli, S. R., Jan 1 2025, RNA interference in Agriculture: Basic Science to Applications: From Bioinformatics and Laboratory Assays Over Regulatory Issues to Field Uses. p. 339-366 28 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
The Road to RNAi-Based Pest Control: A Historical Perspective
Swevers, L., Palli, S. R. & Smagghe, G., Jan 1 2025, RNA interference in Agriculture: Basic Science to Applications: From Bioinformatics and Laboratory Assays Over Regulatory Issues to Field Uses. p. 1-23 23 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Preface
Smagghe, G., Palli, S. R. & Swevers, L., Jan 1 2025, RNA interference in Agriculture: Basic Science to Applications: From Bioinformatics and Laboratory Assays Over Regulatory Issues to Field Uses.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Foreword/postscript
RNA interference in Agriculture: Basic Science to Applications: From Bioinformatics and Laboratory Assays Over Regulatory Issues to Field Uses
Smagghe, G., Palli, S. R. & Swevers, L., Jan 1 2025, 715 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
Assessment of RNA interference effectiveness mediated by siRNA sequences and structures in Drosophila S2 cells
Kim, H. S., Pan, H., Palli, S. R. & Yoon, J. S., Dec 2025, In: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 185, 104418.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Recent advances and applications of single-cell sequencing in insects
Nayyar, N., Arya, S. K., Harrison, D. A. & Palli, S. R., Feb 2026, In: Current Opinion in Insect Science. 73, 101455.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Histone Deacetylases Are Required for Female Reproduction and Embryonic Development in the Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castaneum
Sengodan, K. & Palli, S. R., Oct 2025, In: Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology. 120, 2, e70105.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Computational Insights into the Coleopteran-Specific StaufenC in dsRNA Processing
Sahoo, S., Palli, S. R., Yoon, J. S. & Shin, D., Oct 7 2025, In: ACS Omega. 10, 39, p. 44858-44868 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
20E-induced Kr-h1 expression facilitates developmental transitions depending on chromosome accessibility of BR-C enhancers
Long, S., Qiu, Y., Lin, T., Huang, S., Zhang, W., Liu, S., Tian, L., Palli, S. R., Li, S. & Li, K., Aug 12 2025, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 122, 32, e2509608122.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Identification of Carboxylesterase Genes and Function of Three Inducible α-Esterase Genes Involved in Insecticidal Activity of α-Solanine in Phthorimaea operculella
Ji, Y., Yan, J., Palli, S. R. & Gao, Y., Aug 6 2025, In: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 73, 31, p. 19764-19777 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Nanoparticles co-delivering double-stranded RNA and insecticide enhance control efficacy and overcome pest resistance
Hu, C., Yu, C., Li, J., Liu, Y., Zeng, Q., Wan, H., He, S., Li, Y., Gao, P., Lv, Y., Zhu, K., Palli, S. R. & Yang, X., Sep 1 2025, In: Chemical Engineering Journal. 519, 165188.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Histone and N-terminal acetyltransferases play important roles in female reproduction and embryogenesis of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum
Sengodan, K. & Palli, S. R., Aug 2025, In: Insect Molecular Biology. 34, 4, p. 570-580 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2025 IR-4 Performance Trials: Efficacy of Chlorantraniliprole and Zeta Cypermethrin against Corn Earworm in Hemp
Palli, S. (PI) & Villanueva, R. (Former PI)
9/1/25 → 8/31/26
Project: Research project
Improvement Of RNAi Methods For Management Of Lepidopteran Pests
Palli, S. (PI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
3/1/26 → 2/28/30
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY26 UK Entomology Tick Surveillance Contract (CL 7 FY26 HPAI Crisis Response)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Management Tactics and Tools for Insect Pests in the North Central Region (25-26)
Palli, S. (PI) & Villanueva, R. (Former PI)
10/1/25 → 8/31/26
Project: Research project
The Agronomy of Hemp and Its Uses in Forage-Animal Agriculture
Palli, S. (PI) & Villanueva, R. (Former PI)
8/1/25 → 7/31/26
Project: Research project
Novel Delivery Strategies of DsRNA for RNAi-based Control of Wood-Boring Insects
Palli, S. (PI)
6/16/25 → 10/31/26
Project: Research project
6.0339.01 Field testing of dsRNA formula
Palli, S. (PI)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9/30/25 → 9/29/26
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY26 State Entomologist (EPI)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY26 State Entomologist (PHPS) (CL6)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY26 UK Entomology Tick Surveillance Contract
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Incidence and Management of Mollusks - Year 2
Palli, S. (PI) & Villanueva, R. (Former PI)
Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board
3/3/25 → 8/31/26
Project: Research project
Evaluation of the Efficacy, Agronomic Fit, and Environmental Fate of Biopesticides for Management of Economically Important Diseases and Arthropod Pests of Hemp
Palli, S. (PI), Gauthier, N. (CoI) & Villanueva, R. (Former PI)
4/1/24 → 4/30/26
Project: Research project
Novel Delivery Strategies of dsRNA for RNAi-Based Control of Wood-Boring Insects
Palli, S. (PI)
8/1/24 → 6/15/25
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY25-26 State Entomologist (EPI)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY25-26 State Entomologist (PHPS)
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project
Entomology Tick Surveillance C5107: FY25 UK Entomology Tick Surveillance Contract
Palli, S. (PI)
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services
7/1/24 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project
Sonoporation-Mediated Delivery of Reagents into Insect Embryos
Teets, N. (PI) & Palli, S. (CoI)
6/1/24 → 8/31/26
Project: Research project
Field Testing of dsRNA Formulations for Controlling ALB
Palli, S. (PI)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9/30/24 → 9/29/25
Project: Research project
Phase III IUCRC at UF: Center for Arthropod Management Technologies - Intestinal Stem Cells: Differentiation and Applications
Palli, S. (PI)
3/1/24 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
Phase III IUCRC at UF: Center for Arthropod Management Technologies - Single Cell Sequencing of Nervous System from Pest Insects
Harrison, D. (PI) & Palli, S. (CoI)
6/1/24 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
