Location: Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research
Project Number: 8062-30400-001-023-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 16, 2025
End Date: Oct 31, 2026
Objective:
Specific Objective 1: Optimize engineered entomopathogenic strains to express highest amount of dsRNAs targets against emerald ash borer.
Specific Objective 2: Screen engineered entomopathogenic strains to identify those showing highest lethality in in-vitro assays and conduct dose-response curve on top isolates to determine optimal dosage.
Approach:
Specific Objective 1: Screen multiple engineered entomopathogenic strains using qPCR to identify top 3-5 transformants in expression of dsRNA.
Specific Objective 2: Screen the top 3-5 isolates in bioassays with larvae and adults to identify top isolate for greenhouse testing and conduct dose-response curve for this isolate to determine optimal dosage.