Insects vastly outnumber people on our planet. Some are pests, but many are key parts of their ecosystems, and some may even hold secrets for developing new materials that researchers could use in the medical field. Michael Kanost, Ph.D. 
, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, has been researching the biochemistry of insects for more than 30 years. His lab studies the tobacco hornworm, a mosquito that carries malaria, and the red flour beetle to better understand insect exoskeletons and immune systems.
In a video interview, Dr. Kanost explains why his lab’s research could help us control pests or even develop materials for medical applications.
Dr. Kanost’s research is supported by NIGMS grant R37GM041247.
Use the word chitin ie “Chitin a polysaccharide…”
Otherwise a very well done informative piece integrating basic science and applied benefits