Development of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tools for the insect pest Gonipterus sp. n. 2

Abstract

Literature review of insect sex determination pathway and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool in application for genetic-based pest control methods. The de novo genome of Gonipterus sp. n. 2 was sequenced with long and short read sequencing, assembled and annotated using RNA sequencing data and Protein sequences from other Coleopteran species with published, assembled genomes. The expansion and contraction of gene families, with a focus on the cytochrome P450 detoxification gene, was assessed. A CRISPR/Cas9 transformation protocol for Gonipterus sp. n. 2 embryos with microinjection. The Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase (Pale) gene was targeted to assess the efficiency of the embryo transformations.