Genetic control of Grass Carp through RNA interference
Grass Carp are one of the Invasive Carp species monitored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the Upper Mississippi River, navigation pools 1-8. Grass Carp are herbivores that feed heavily on vegetation and have been found to damage and even irradicate aquatic vegetation communities vital to many native fish and waterfowl species. Loss of aquatic vegetation can also disrupt food webs, increase shoreline erosion, and intensify harmful algal blooms causing both ecological and economic impacts. Managers and scientists are working on the development of deterrents, baits, and selective genetic control tools to help prevent the expansion of the Grass Carp populations and minimize their impact to the Upper Mississippi River.
The Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) is currently developing and evaluating RNA interference (RNAi) as a control to selectively target Grass Carp while minimizing impacts to native organisms. RNAi is a naturally occurring gene regulation mechanism that “silences” specific genes. This technology is currently being used to control some pest in the agricultural sector and may have promise in natural resource management. Scientists at UMESC are not only identifying the genetic constructs needed to “silence” targeted genes in Grass Carp, but they are also working on approaches to deliver such constructs. This delivery tool, a species-specific bait, is designed to attract Grass Carp to a location where this bait can be easily consumed. Once combined, the RNAi and Grass Carp bait could be a powerful tool in assisting fishery managers in the control of Grass Carp.
This project is ongoing.
Other Resources:
Grass Carp are one of the Invasive Carp species monitored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the Upper Mississippi River, navigation pools 1-8. Grass Carp are herbivores that feed heavily on vegetation and have been found to damage and even irradicate aquatic vegetation communities vital to many native fish and waterfowl species. Loss of aquatic vegetation can also disrupt food webs, increase shoreline erosion, and intensify harmful algal blooms causing both ecological and economic impacts. Managers and scientists are working on the development of deterrents, baits, and selective genetic control tools to help prevent the expansion of the Grass Carp populations and minimize their impact to the Upper Mississippi River.
The Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) is currently developing and evaluating RNA interference (RNAi) as a control to selectively target Grass Carp while minimizing impacts to native organisms. RNAi is a naturally occurring gene regulation mechanism that “silences” specific genes. This technology is currently being used to control some pest in the agricultural sector and may have promise in natural resource management. Scientists at UMESC are not only identifying the genetic constructs needed to “silence” targeted genes in Grass Carp, but they are also working on approaches to deliver such constructs. This delivery tool, a species-specific bait, is designed to attract Grass Carp to a location where this bait can be easily consumed. Once combined, the RNAi and Grass Carp bait could be a powerful tool in assisting fishery managers in the control of Grass Carp.
This project is ongoing.
Other Resources: