Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory - Texas

Last Modified: March 29, 2024

The Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (IMMDL, formerly Mission) supports PPQ's programs by developing pest detection and management methods, mitigation strategies, and molecular diagnostic tools for insects and invertebrate pests. 

The laboratory identifies, develops, and provides technology transfer of a wide range of scientific methods to PPQ and State departments of agriculture. In addition to these core functions, the laboratory cooperates with stakeholders and researchers to provide expertise to PPQ regarding geographic information systems, biological control, area-wide pest management, and sterile insect technology (SIT) support for the Mexican fruit fly eradication program. In addition, the laboratory leads the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) initiative to develop methods for the successful incorporation of new UAS technologies into PPQ programs.

The laboratory is responsible for developing and validating technologies used to detect and diagnose plant pests. The focus of the laboratory’s diagnostic work is on insects that cause damage directly to plants or that serve as vectors of plant disease, but molecular biological methods are also used to support production of beneficial insects through detection of insect pathogens in rearing populations. Methods developed at the laboratory include cutting-edge molecular approaches to study nucleic acids such as High Throughput Sequencing, real-time PCR, isothermal amplification, and microfluidic genotyping. These have been used to complete confirmatory identifications, to track high-risk pathways of invasive species, and screening of insect genomes for new molecular tools. In addition, the laboratory is examining how recent advances in methods such as CRISPR and nanotechnology can be used in treatment of plant pathogens.

Recent Accomplishments

Contact

Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Lab, Edinburg Texas

Jose Carlos Verle Rodrigues, Laboratory Director

Mailing Address

22675 N. Moorefield Rd.

Edinburg, TX 78541