Collaborative study tackles tick challenge

Scientists at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Baylor College of Medicine have sequenced the genome of the disease-spreading soft tick. The ectoparasite carries human relapsing fever and is a potential vector of the African swine fever virus, which threatens the $62 billion U.S pork industry.

The team collaborated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, USDA-ARS, SCINet project and Ag100Pest Initiative to develop the first complete genome assembly for Ornithodoros turicata. The completed genome will allow researchers to investigate chromosomes linked to specific biological functions, said Pete Teel, Ph.D., co-author, AgriLife Research entomologist and Regents Professor in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology.

PHOTO: Ornithodoros turicata ticks taken during a Texas A&M AgriLIfe Research project in Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. (Brian Rich/Texas A&M AgriLife)