Texas A&M AgriLife and the Office of Radiological Security, ORS, part of the National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, is teaming up on a national effort to combat New World screwworm, NWS, including producing sterile flies in the U.S. via electron beam, or eBeam, technology to halt fly reproduction.
Texas A&M AgriLife and NNSA are exploring safer alternatives to high-radioactivity technologies to address New World screwworm and other invasive arthropods. The eBeam is a potential safer alternative to high-radioactivity cobalt-60 gamma sterilization. The effort will expand collaboration with other academic institutions to advance the best radiological security practices nationwide.
“This collaboration demonstrates how research and innovation can drive solutions to protect human and animal health,” said Phillip Kaufman, Ph.D., head of the Texas A&M Department of Entomology. “We must continue advancing critical science so we are prepared not only for the New World screwworm but for other invasive arthropods that will challenge us in the future.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, has determined that the U.S.-Mexico border is a crucial area for the fight against the devastating pest, which recently appeared within 70 miles of the border.
Bringing together expertise
“This collaboration with NNSA enables Texas A&M AgriLife to contribute innovative agriculture research that is essential to our nation’s food security,” said Suresh Pillai, Ph.D., director of the National Center for Electron Beam Research at Texas A&M University, Bryan-College Station. “We are proud to support their mission to enhance the security of the United States.”
Pillai is a Texas A&M AgriLife Research professor and associate department head of the Texas A&M Department of Food Science and Technology, as well as a member of the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture.
The National Center for Electron Beam Research will lead sterilization activities against New World screwworm and was instrumental in the development of eBeam protocols for sterile insect technique, or SIT, against the pest. SIT involves releasing large numbers of sterilized male screwworms into the environment to halt their reproduction and populations. SIT is a proven solution to eradicate NWS and is essential to U.S. agriculture security.
eBeam and sterile fly production as a solution
Researchers at the eBeam center and the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, with the support of NNSA, identified eBeam technology as a potential alternative to cobalt-60 gamma sterilization for New World screwworm. After extensive modeling and testing on a surrogate species, Cochliomyia macellaria, with similar biology to New World screwworm, Texas A&M researchers are now confident that eBeam can effectively sterilize male screwworms Cochliomyia hominivorax, without relying on high-activity radioactive material.
“Our mission-driven partnership with Texas A&M is essential to advancing American innovation in eBeam applications and enhancing our national security,” said Kristin Hirsch, director of ORS. “With the support of Texas A&M AgriLife experts, NNSA is able to help combat the spread of the NWS, building stronger food systems and safer communities across the country.”
The NNSA collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife aims to increase U.S. prosperity and open new doors to industry in building eBeam infrastructure — advancing investment in the U.S. and safeguarding vital food systems.
Learn more about New World screwworm and find emerging control information at http://tx.ag/screwworm.
