Arthropod Cell Screening Facility (ACSF)
Welcome to the Arthropod Cell Screening Facility
Where cutting-edge functional genomics technology meets real-world needs related to mosquitos, ticks, crop pests, and more.
The ACSF is a technological and research innovation facility at Harvard Medical School. We focus on genome-wide screens in arthropod cells and related technologies. We strive to apply our technologies to real-world problems. Key areas of relevance include:
- Mosquito-borne disease and mosquito control
- Tick-borne disease and tick control
- Control of crop pests and other arthropod pests
- Control of arthropod vectors of plant diseases
- Pollinator health
We make progress in these areas through development and application of genome-wide CRISPR screens in fly, mosquito, tick, and other cell lines, both within our group and in collaboration with others.
ACSF Technologies in Action
Crop Pest Control
Our cell screen technology can impact crop pest control in at least two ways. First, our technology can be used to identify new targets for insecticides. Second, our technology can be used to uncover mechanism of action of bacterial, fungal, and other toxins of insects, contributing to prioritization and analysis of these toxins, which have potential for use as alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Understanding Mosquito-Pathogen Interactions
Our screening technology opens the doors to identification of genes required for cell-surface binding and internalization of viruses or other pathogens that are vectored (spread) by mosquitos. Through development of screening platforms for Anopheles, Aedes, and other mosquitos, as well as strategic collaborations with experts in arboviruses and other mosquito-vector pathogens, we are breaking new ground in this exciting area of research.
Pollinator Health
Honey bees are a critical component of agriculture but face many threats to health, including infection with viruses. We are currently seeking funding for study of honey bee cell-virus interactions, with the goal of developing targeted therapeutics that will reduce viral infections in hives.
