Project Number: 6615-22000-021-06
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Jul 26, 2006
End Date: Jun 30, 2009

Objective:
Develop and implement risk assessment protocols for the field release of transgenic tephritid fruit flies. Towards this end new transgenic strains will be created that incorporate fluorescent protein marker systems in a Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) tsl genetic sexing strain (VIENNA 8) for their detection after field release. These strains will be fully characterized with respect to life table attributes and tested for viability, fitness, and reproductive competitiveness under small and large scale laboratory rearing regimes, and under contained greenhouse release protocols.

Approach:
A major requirement for the release of genetically transformed insect species for biological control is the ability to adequately assess fitness, viability and reproduction in transgenic strains, as well as ensuring transgene stability. New risk assessment protocols will be developed by the Cooperator and the ADODR to perform these evaluations in several transgenic strains of VIENNA 8 that carry a fluorescent protein marker for field detection. The sexing strain to be used in this assessment was created by the Cooperator and is currently in world-wide use for the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). In addition, the Cooperator has extensive experience in the development and implementation of internationally agreed protocols to monitor and ensure strain viability and stability in Medfly genetic sexing strains. These protocols will be modified and expanded for transgenic strain evaluation. New vectors created by the ADODR and transformed into Medfly in collaboration with the Cooperator will result in new transgenic strains to experimentally assess transgene stability. The information generated from this project will provide a foundation for continuing and future risk analysis studies for release of transgenic medflies, and other insects transformed with piggyBac vectors.