Project Number: 6615-32000-045-26
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jul 01, 2012
End Date: Jun 30, 2014

Objective:
To design and optimize dsRNA inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) constructs for incorporation into an attractive sugar bait product with enhanced uptake for control of mosquitoes and sand flies.

Approach:
1. DsRNA constructs will be optimized for enhanced activity in silencing the targeted genes in mosquitoes and sand flies. 2. The environmental fate of dsRNA in various sugar baits will be evaluated to determine stability profiles over time. This information is crucial for determining the effective life of deployed sugar baited traps. 3. Optimized dsRNA constructs and formulations will be evaluated in laboratory and field trials against Ae. aegypti.