This project aims to create a safe and effective method for managing Grass Carp (GRC) in Minnesota waters by using genetic tools in a targeted bait.
Background:
The spread of GRC in the Mississippi River poses a threat to the Upper Mississippi River's ecology and economy. GRC overgrazing can harm aquatic vegetation, disrupt food webs, increase wave erosion, and raise the risk of harmful algal blooms. Recent captures of Invasive Carps, including GRC, in pool 8 have raised concerns about established populations in Minnesota waters. The research team plans to optimize and test a delivery system for small interfering RNA (siRNA) that selectively turns off crucial genes in GRC. They will express double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) constructs in microalgae, which will be added to a bait developed for GRC.
Activities:
In the first year, the research team will test microalgae production methods and its appeal in the GRC bait. The second year will focus on testing the entire organism to demonstrate gene silencing through oral delivery of the RNA interference microalgae bait to GRC.
- Develop methods, protocols, and standard operating procedures for the construction, mass production, drying, and storage of microalgae to ensure integrity of RNAi. This entails molecular biology work, micro-algae transformation, proliferation and preservation work.
- Develop and test methods to establish the ideal inclusion rate of microalgae in the Grass Carp (GRC) bait. This is done to meet specific product standards related to maximum double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dose, integrity of bait pellets, and stability of dsRNA. They will conduct feeding trials using GRC to assess various formulations of rapeseed bait that contain varying inclusion rates of dried microalgae. Additionally, whole organism tests will be carried out to assess gene knockdown by orally delivering GRC bait incorporated with RNAi microalgae through oral gavage.
- Project outcomes will be presented at the MAISRC showcase, science meetings, and conferences. The finalized results will be documented in peer-reviewed literature. In addition to these scheduled activities, discussions on project progress will be held and presented opportunistically, as deemed appropriate, with natural resource managers in Minnesota and the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) region.