Mass rearing insects for genetic modification

Authors: Allen, Margaret - Meg

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2006
Publication Date: 12/13/2006
Citation: "Arthropod Mass Rearing, Research that Keeps on Giving"

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Genetic manipulation may now be defined as: 1) insertion of genes into a different species, so that the behavior of the new (or changed) gene can be examined in the target organism or, 2) silencing of genes in an organism through interference, or "knock-down". One possible result of genetic manipulation is the production of a transgenic organism. Insects can be difficult to manipulate, and limited by available tools, available methods, and manageability of insect species. The target organism 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 target species. Only when insect rearing and handling issues are managed successfully can the powerful functional genomic utility of manipulation be fully utilized.