Location: Cattle Fever Tick Research Unit
Project Number: 3094-32000-042-101-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2024
End Date: May 31, 2026
Objective:
The development and evaluation of an ovary-targeted nano-enabled vesicle-like construct that delivers gene editing material in an efficient manner in cattle fever ticks.
Approach:
The approach uses engineered nanomaterials, namely nano-vesicles, and nano-liposomes, to deliver genome-edited materials to developing embryos in an engorged female tick. First, the cooperator will prove that the plasmid and Cas9 construct is encapsulated in a BAPC nano-vesicle. Second, the cooperator will prove that the plasmid and Cas9 construct is encapsulated in a nano-liposome. Third, the cooperator and USDA will prove that an ovary-targeting moiety can be added to the surface of the empty nano-vesicles. Fourth, the cooperator and USDA will prove that an ovary-targeting moiety can be added to the surface of the loaded nano-vesicles. The study aims to establish a procedure for overcoming the technical challenges of injecting tick embryos to attempt gene editing, challenges that have slowed research progress.
