ARS | Publication request: PRODUCTION OF TRANSGENIC INSECTS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: October 26, 2005
Publication Date: November 3, 2005
Citation: Allen, M.L. 2005. Production of transgenic insects. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: Transformation may be defined as insertion of exogenous genes into the germ-line of a novel species, so that the transgene is inherited as part of the transgenic organism’s genome. Examples of transgenic organisms are: Example 1: “Roundup Ready” Soybean (or other plant) Bacterial enzyme gene inserted into soybean Example 2: Bt Corn (or other plant) Bacterial crystal protein gene inserted into maize Production of transgenic insects is limited by available tools, available methods, and manageability of insect species. Insects must be available for fresh egg collection and handling, including microinjection. Both mass-rearing techniques and small-scale rearing techniques must be mastered for the insect, so that individual injected insects can be raised to maturity and individual pair matings, or at least small pool matings, can be accomplished. Additionally, a translucent and immobile stage must be available for transgenic screening. Only when insect rearing and handling issues are managed successfully can the powerful functional genomic utility of transformation be fully utilized.