Texas A&M AgriLife awarded USDA funding for New World screwworm research
AgriLife’s projects will focus on sterile fly production, product assessment and other efforts.
Texas A&M AgriLife is receiving a portion of $105 million in research funding announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help combat New World screwworm (NWS).
USDA announced funding for 40 research projects via the NWS Grand Challenge on June 17. The NWS Grand Challenge launched in January, asking researchers from federal and nonfederal entities to develop high-impact projects that would prevent the spread of NWS by enhancing detection, control and eradication readiness.
Texas A&M AgriLife was selected to lead seven proposals and contribute to seven additional projects from among 226 proposals. Projects were selected based on innovative approaches, scientific gold standards and the potential to make a significant impact on the prevention of and response to NWS.
“These projects reflect the strength of our Texas A&M AgriLife teams and their commitment to protecting animal health and supporting Texans,” said Dr. Jeffrey W. Savell, vice chancellor and dean for agriculture and life sciences.
In addition to the projects announced June 17, Texas A&M AgriLife Research is currently conducting a separate USDA-funded NWS Grand Challenge initiative to assess the feasibility, efficacy and operational readiness of electron beam, or eBeam, technology as a nonradioactive alternative to cobalt-60 gamma irradiation for sterilizing NWS pupae in sterile insect technique programs.
This work reflects our commitment to science that serves, providing solutions that defend animal health today while preparing Texas and the nation for the challenges ahead.
“By uniting innovation with purpose, we’re building the tools that protect livestock, safeguard our food systems and strengthen the resilience of every community that depends on them,” said G. Cliff Lamb, director of AgriLife Research. “This work reflects our commitment to science that serves, providing solutions that defend animal health today while preparing Texas and the nation for the challenges ahead.”
The NWS Grand Challenge focuses on four core priorities:
- Enhance sterile NWS fly production to improve program efficiency and capacity
- Develop novel NWS traps and lures to modernize detection and early warning systems
- Advance NWS therapeutics and treatments to reduce animal health impacts and strengthen response capability
- Develop tools that bolster preparedness and response, including repellents, ecological modeling, wildlife surveillance or other innovative approaches
