Develop antimicrobials that kill specific bacteria identified as pathogenic to the mexican fruit fly, anastrepha ludens (mexfly) without destroying bacteria beneficial to the fly

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) provides $280,972 to North Carolina State University to develop antimicrobials that kill bacteria pathogenic to the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) without harming beneficial bacteria. Key activities include creating phage cocktails, converting phages to plasmid systems, and integrating prophylactic phage cocktails into pathogen monitoring systems. This work aims to eliminate the impact of newly identified pathogens, thereby improving the rate and reducing the cost of sterile insect production, which supports agriculture and pest control efforts. The performance period for this award is June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025. No sub-awards are planned under this Cooperative Agreement.

The activities will include creating phage cocktails, converting augmented phages to plasmid systems, and integrate prophylactic phage cocktails into pathogen monitoring systems. P1 bacteriophage engineered with a compound cram for the dual control of klebsiella varicola and serratia marcescens pathogens. Goldegate systems for long term storage and rapid engineering of therapeutic bacteriophages. Datadriven design for incorporation of bacteriophage into the existing fly rearing workflow. Prophylactic use of antimicrobials can eliminate the impact of newly identified pathogens, improving the rate, and reducing the cost, of sterile insect production. No subawards are planned.