Eradication of Invasive Quagga and Zebra Mussels Using Engineered Disseminated Neoplasia

archived

Under this Agreement, Biomilab, LLC. shall work to engineer normal quagga and zebra mussel hemocytes into “induced” DN cells (iDNCs) that can be used to transmit and foster lethal cancer into populations of these invasive species in open waters. Major tasks for the project include, but are not limited to: • Establish a facility for the maintenance of live zebra and quagga mussels • Determine methods and conditions for extended culture of explanted and dissociated mussel cells, and establish methods for their genetic modification • Determine methods for the transplantation/engraftment and survival of cultured cells to live mussels and complete characterization of target genes and gene products for use in genomic modification • Convert dreissenid mussel hemocytes to genetically-modified hemic disseminated neoplasia cells (iDNCs) and establishment of methods for long-term culture, expansion, and cryopreservation of iDNCs • Introduction of iDNCs to live quagga/zebra mussels and control mussels, and analysis of engraftment, dissemination, and toxicity

High