Descriptive DNA barcoding of Argas (Persicargas) arboreus and Argas (Persicargas) persicus ticks (Ixodida: Argasidae) infesting birds in Egypt.

Argas ticks are primary parasites of birds with veterinary importance. Nevertheless, these ticks have received little attention regarding molecular identification studies. DNA barcoding is a powerful technique for identifying tick species besides traditional morphological identification.

Comparative Molecular Description of a Novel GST Gene in Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae).

Repeated exposure to insecticides, particularly pyrethroids and organophosphates, has resulted in the development of insecticide resistance in the mosquito Culex pipiens, a primary disease vector. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is involved in the phase II detoxification of numerous xenobiotics, including insecticides. In this study, a GST gene (CPIJ002678) was amplified, sequenced, and used in comprehensive molecular analyses ending up in development of a rapid assay to distinguish more tolerant individuals from susceptible Culex pipiens using the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) technique.

Impact of nano-conjugate on Drosophila for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease. Recent identification of AD biomarkers has led to the diagnosis of AD before the onset of dementia. It has been shown that Drosophila melanogaster is a valuable model for studying human neurodegeneration, including AD.

Using targeted next-generation sequencing to characterize genetic differences associated with insecticide resistance in Culex quinquefasciatus populations from the southern U.S.

Resistance to insecticides can hamper the control of mosquitoes such as Culex quinquefasciatus, known to vector arboviruses such as West Nile virus and others. The strong selective pressure exerted on a mosquito population by the use of insecticides can result in heritable genetic changes associated with resistance. We sought to characterize genetic differences between insecticide resistant and susceptible Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes using targeted DNA sequencing.