In vivo tracing of the Cytokeratin 14 lineages using self-cleaving guide RNAs and CRISPR/Cas9.

The current gold-standard for genetic lineage tracing in transgenic mice is based on cell-type specific expression of Cre recombinase. As an alternative, we developed a cell-type specific CRISPR/spCas9 system for lineage tracing. This method relies on RNA polymerase II promoter driven self-cleaving guide RNAs (scgRNA) to achieve tissue-specificity.

Strong ubiquitous micro-promoters for recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors.

Significant progress has been made in developing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) for clinical gene therapy. While rAAV is a versatile gene delivery platform, its packaging limit of 4.7 kb limits the diseases it can target.

Hidden Host Mortality from an Introduced Parasitoid: Conventional and Molecular Evaluation of Non-Target Risk.

Hidden trophic interactions are important in understanding food web ecology and evaluating the ecological risks and benefits associated with the introduction of exotic natural enemies in classical biological control programs. Although non-target risk is typically evaluated based on evidence of successful parasitism, parasitoid-induced host mortality not resulting in visible evidence of parasitism (i.e.

Development of a Portable LAMP Assay for Detection of in Commercial Apple Fruit.

Bull's eye rot (BER) is a major economic postharvest disease of apple and pear that can be caused by four species: , , , and . In Central Washington, BER is predominantly caused by . The fungus infects fruit preharvest, and because of the dry growing season in the region, infections remain latent with symptoms expressed only after 3 to 4 months of storage, when BER incidences as high as 20% can been seen, especially in rainy seasons and on susceptible cultivars.