Technologies are available to create transgenic insects for a variety of applications yet the technology is not routinely used largely because it is technically demanding and requires specialized equipment. As part of an ongoing effort to develop and facilitate the use of transgenic insect technologies the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute has created an Insect Transformation Facility. UMBI’s Insect Transformation Facility (ITF) was established to promote the advancement of insect molecular science and its application to human health and welfare. The ITF is an international resource for the creation of genetically modified insects, a developer of new insect genetic modification technologies, and a source of training in the use of these technologies.

The ITF combines a state-of-the-art facility with highly experienced personnel allowing it to conduct concurrent projects with a wide variety of insects of biomedical and agricultural significance.