Location: Tropical Pest Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit
Project Number: 2040-22430-028-046-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Aug 31, 2026
Objective:
The overarching goal of this project is to evaluate the performance of bacteria in pre-release diets for medfly on performance of inoculated flies. In this study, we will specifically investigate the impacts of single bacterial cultures on fitness and performance of medfly in several bioassays. We will analyze whole genome sequences of the bacteria used in our study to monitor potential non-target impacts of the bacteria we will select.
Approach:
1) Establish and evaluate medfly performance metrics in response to bacterial inoculation,
2) Compare fruit fly mating performance in response to bacterial inoculation,
3) Perform whole genome sequencing for characterization of antibiotic resistance gene clusters.