Texas A&M AgriLife and the Office of Radiological Security, ORS, a part of the National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, is teaming up on a nationwide effort to fight New World screwworm, NWS, together with producing sterile flies within the U.S. through electron beam, or eBeam, know-how to halt fly replica.
Texas A&M AgriLife and NNSA are exploring safer alternate options to high-radioactivity applied sciences to deal with New World screwworm and different invasive arthropods. The eBeam is a possible safer various to high-radioactivity cobalt-60 gamma sterilization. The effort will develop collaboration with different tutorial establishments to advance one of the best radiological safety practices nationwide.
“This collaboration demonstrates how research and innovation can drive solutions to protect human and animal health,” stated Phillip Kaufman, Ph.D., head of the Texas A&M Department of Entomology. “We must continue advancing critical science so we are prepared not only for the New World screwworm but for other invasive arthropods that will challenge us in the future.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, has determined that the U.S.-Mexico border is a vital space for the fight towards the devastating pest, which just lately appeared inside 70 miles of the border.
Bringing collectively experience
“This collaboration with NNSA enables Texas A&M AgriLife to contribute innovative agriculture research that is essential to our nation’s food security,” stated Suresh Pillai, Ph.D., director of the National Center for Electron Beam Research at Texas A&M University, Bryan-College Station. “We are proud to support their mission to enhance the security of the United States.”
Pillai is a Texas A&M AgriLife Research professor and affiliate division head of the Texas A&M Department of Food Science and Technology, in addition to a member of the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture.
The National Center for Electron Beam Research will lead sterilization actions towards New World screwworm and was instrumental within the improvement of eBeam protocols for sterile insect method, or SIT, towards the pest. SIT includes releasing giant numbers of sterilized male screwworms into the setting to halt their replica and populations. SIT is a proven solution to eradicate NWS and is crucial to U.S. agriculture safety.
eBeam and sterile fly manufacturing as an answer
Researchers at the eBeam heart and the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, with the help of NNSA, recognized eBeam know-how as a possible various to cobalt-60 gamma sterilization for New World screwworm. After intensive modeling and testing on a surrogate species, Cochliomyia macellaria, with comparable biology to New World screwworm, Texas A&M researchers at the moment are assured that eBeam can successfully sterilize male screwworms Cochliomyia hominivorax, with out counting on high-activity radioactive materials.
“Our mission-driven partnership with Texas A&M is essential to advancing American innovation in eBeam applications and enhancing our national security,” stated Kristin Hirsch, director of ORS. “With the support of Texas A&M AgriLife experts, NNSA is able to help combat the spread of the NWS, building stronger food systems and safer communities across the country.”
The NNSA collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife goals to enhance U.S. prosperity and open new doorways to business in constructing eBeam infrastructure — advancing funding within the U.S. and safeguarding important meals techniques.
Learn extra about New World screwworm and discover rising management data at http://tx.ag/screwworm.
