During this project you will be exposed to what we call “Translational Science”, meaning that we make use of basic genetic principles and apply them to improve the quality of human and animal life. In this project, we will detect mutations associated with ticks becoming resistant to acaricides (dips), and how we can use this information to help farmers buy the correct products for keeping their cattle free from ticks and tick-borne diseases. This way, farmers have a financial benefit (as dips can easily cost some R5,000 per liter) and we have a safer braai as our meat is free from non-essential acaricides.
Aims of the project
- To identify cattle ticks from samples collected from commercial cattle farms in South Africa using microscopy.
- To isolate genomic DNA from tick samples belonging to the species, Rhipicephalus.
- To determine the species using DNA and enzymes that cut DNA to yield species specific patterns of digestion.
- To amplify a gene associated with acaricide resistance from your DNA sample.
- To digest the amplified gene with enzymes yielding a novel pattern for acaricide resistance.
- To write a report to farmers on the acaricide resistance status of ticks from their farms and make suggestions on better acaricides to use on their cattle for improved tick control.
Provisional Project Structure
- Tick identification and introduction to DNA and acaricides (Prof Christine’s group)
- Genomic DNA isolation from ticks (Prof Christine’s group)
- DNA digestion and gel electrophoresis to determine the DNA fragment sizes (Dr Thulani’s group)
- Amplification of acaricide resistance genes using the polymerase chain reaction (Prof Christine’s group)
- Digestion of the amplified genes to identify acaricide resistant and susceptible ticks (Dr Thulani’s group).
- Geographical mapping of data to determine “resistant” hotspots in South Africa (Dr Thulani’s group)
- Write up report (at least 2 days)
Participants
• Prof Christine Maritz-Olivier
• Dr Thulani Makhalanyane
• Dr Christian Stutzer
• Dr Annette-Christi Barnard
• A variety of very passionate postgraduate students working towards their Masters and Doctoral degrees.
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