Project Number: 6615-22000-021-15
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 27, 2007
End Date: Dec 14, 2010

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to improve the functional analysis of genomic sequences and the development of transgenic insect strains for biological control. Specifically, new transformation vectors allowing targeted integration of transgenes with their subsequent stabilization will be tested in insect cell lines.

Approach:
A major drawback to creating transgenic insect strains for biological control is the random nature of transposon-based vector integration in host genomes, and the potential for their re-mobilization resulting in unstable strains. New vectors allowing recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) genomic targeting and subsequent stabilization by post-integration terminal sequence deletion have the potential to mitigate these concerns. A rapid means of testing these vectors, previous to more laborious organismal transformation, is to integrate them into insect cell line genomes. The cooperator will provide expertise and facilities for insect tissue culture which do not exist at CMAVE, and for the viral-mediated vector integration of specific target and donor sequences provided by the ADODR. The cooperator and ADODR will then collaborate on the testing and analysis of RMCE insertion products and their stabilization.