Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of ixodes scapularis

Abstract

Ixodes scapularis is a vector for numerous pathogens of humans and animals in North America, with its population and territories expanding due to climate change, change of land-use, and other factors. Many of these pathogens can have debilitating or even fatal effects, so methods to control ticks are vital. With increasing consideration and use of transgenic mosquitoes to stem the spread of mosquito-vectored pathogens, similar work using ticks could be considered. This project sought to replicate and expand upon the work of Machado-Ferreira in 2015 reporting the use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to insert a transgene construct expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) into ticks. Images of surface-sterilized treated ticks show spots of especially noticeable fluorescence which is promising, however, further molecular testing is needed to provide a definitive answer to whether these ticks are truly transgenic.