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APHIS-Moore Air Base in Texas-Plant Protection and Quarantine Science and Technology Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (20230621-CDP-APHIS-0549).jpg

Alejandra Godoy, a Biological Science Technician with APHIS in the Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (IMMDL), uses a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to study Anastrepha Ludens fly (also known as the Mexican Fruit Fly) in her laboratory on Moore Air Base, Edinburg, Texas, June 21, 2023. IMMDL is an integral part of PPQ's programs (Plant Protection and Quarantine), focusing on various key areas. This includes molecular diagnostics. Those molecular diagnostic team member within IMMDL work to develop effective techniques for detecting and managing pests, the creation of strategies to mitigate their impact, and the design of molecular diagnostic tools specifically tailored for insects and invertebrate pests. The molecular team has taken the lead in advancing and validating technologies used in detecting and diagnosing plant pests. The laboratory's diagnostic efforts primarily revolve around insects that directly harm agricultural crops or transmit plant diseases, more specifically the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the known vector of Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease. Additionally, scientists employ these methods to aid in the large-scale production of sterile Mexican fruit flies by identifying insect pathogens within breeding populations. To achieve these objectives, the laboratory harnesses cutting-edge molecular approaches such as Next Generation Sequencing, real-time PCR, isothermal amplification, and microfluidic genotyping. These techniques enable the development of innovative methods for analyzing the discrete genetic differences within DNA, allowing for precise identification of pests at the species or even geographic level. The use of these advanced techniques has proven highly valuable in confirming identifications, monitoring the movement of high-risk invasive species, and exploring insect genomes to discover new molecular tools. Furthermore, the laboratory actively explores the potential applications of recent advancements in methods such as CRISPR and nanotechnology. These innovative approaches hold promise for treating plant pathogens and enhancing diagnostic procedures within the field of pest management. (USDA photo by Christophe Paul)

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Author: USDAgov
Attribution: 20230621-CDP-APHIS-0549
License: Public domain
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:APHIS-Moore_Air_Base_in_Texas-Plant_Protection_and_Quarantine_Science_and_Technology_Insect_Management_and_Molecular_Diagnostics_Laboratory_(20230621-CDP-APHIS-0549).jpg