As we continue to optimize genetic systems for male-only strains, we recently reported that selecting driver and effector transgenes with moderate levels of expression could be an effective strategy to obtain strains with good productivity. Ying Yan was first author and Megan Williamson a coauthor.
In a followup study to the screwworm genome paper, our collaborators Paul Hickner and Zain Syed led an investigation on screwworm olfaction, including expression of odorant receptors in antennae. This is an important step in understanding host seeking behavior of this obligate parasite.