Informed development of a flystrike vaccine

This project focusses on two main areas: Using genetic and genomic data to determine the structure of blowfly populations in Australia to assess the level of genetic variation that exists within and between the locations from where they are collected; and, understanding the molecular processes that allow the maggots to survive on sheep. In addition to contributing to flystrike vaccine development, results from this study will provide data for cost-benefit assessments of various flystrike control strategies and could also assist with planning their implementation. The genomic analysis of flies from around Australia will be scanned for the presence of genetic changes that could be associated with insecticide resistance against several of the current chemical classes used to treat flystrike.