Benefits from psyllid genomes- RNA-interference

Genomics has changed the strategies used to manage insects and diseases. The ability to effect a change in proteins, and transcripts, through RNA-interference, RNAi, has produced a rush towards the development of the most state-of-the-art pest suppression strategies available. To rapidly advance these efforts, we established the “International Psyllid Genome Consortium” to bring together researchers interested in psyllid genomics. The first psyllid species being sequenced is the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri, first draft DIACI_v1.0 (Illumina, by 2010) being led by Wayne Hunter, with Robert Shatters, and David Hall, of the USDA, Subtropical Research Insects Unit, Ft. Pierce, FL. The second psyllid species planned for sequencing is the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, being led by Dr. Bextine, University of Texas at Tyler, all together forming the main working group with other members involved listed at “The International Psyllid Genome Consortium” working group: http://www.uttyler.edu/psyllidgenomics/Home.html ; data on the Psyllid genome NCBI homepage: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=genomeprj&cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=29473