The invention provides methods for identifying modulators of mitochondrial function for therapeutic use in neurodegenerative disorder. The invention provides method for identifying subjects who may benefit from the therapeutic agents. Aspects of the methods include administering MIRO1 reducer to a subject having Parkinson's Disease. Also provided are companion diagnostic assays to determine if a subject is suitable for treatment with a MIRO1 reducer, and treating the subject in accordance with the results.

Methods and compositions are provided for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Aspects of the methods include administering Miro1 reducer. Also provided are reagents and kits for practicing the subject methods. In some embodiments, a method is provided for reducing undesirable levels of Miro1 in a cell having depolarized or otherwise damaged mitochondria. In some embodiments the cell is in vivo, e.g. in an animal model for PD, in an individual diagnosed with PD, in a clinical trial for treatment of PD, and the like.

Provided herein are genetically engineered bacteria that are native to a host insect microbiome. Further provided are methods of inducing RNA interference in an insect, such as a bee, by administering the genetically engineered bacteria.

A method is provided of producing a Lactuca plant seed including using a Megachile bee as pollination means, and providing the a Megachile bee a minor nectar plant to have preference in flower visiting, in addition to a pollen parent Lactuca plant and a seed parent Lactuca plant and to perform a crossing of a Lactuca plant using a plant species having the preference in flower visiting equivalent to or lower than that of the Lactuca plant. According to one embodiment, it is possible to produce a Lactuca hybrid plant seed more efficiently and economically than before while using a Megachile bee as pollination means.

Herein is described a method devised to cryopreserve mosquito eggs, viable upon subsequent thawing. The method reproducibly yields >25% hatched first instar larvae of Anopheles-species mosquitoes from cryopreserved eggs. The majority of hatched larvae continue to develop normally (87% pupation), through to adults (98%, 50% of which are female) which subsequently blood feed and produce viable second generation embryos that also develop normally. Adult mosquitoes obtained from cryopreserved embryos are able to be infected with Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes and produce salivary gland sporozoites in similar numbers to control mosquitoes.

Methods for cryopreservation of biological samples are provided. The biological samples are sub-millimeter or millimeter scale biological materials. The biological samples are embryos, such as Drosophila embryos. Methods for cryopreservation of Drosophila embryos using cryomesh are provided. The Drosophila embryos are collected, staged and treated to optimize the cryopreservation outcomes upon rewarming. Methods disclosed are efficient for maintaining stocks of Drosophila wild type and mutant strains. Methods are also disclosed for cryopreservation of other terrestrial organism embryos and/or aquatic organism embryos.

Blood-feeding systems for hematophagous arthropods, as well as methods of fabricating and using the same, are provided. The blood-feeding systems can be fabricated on site (e.g., in a lab) by using a three-dimensional (3D) printer (e.g., a direct drive 3D printer such as a direct drive fused deposition modeling (FDM)-type 3D printer) and regular lab tools. The blood-feeding systems can utilize a syringe filling system that allows leftover blood to be recovered after use, or added or changed while the feeder is in use.

A habitat for living creatures includes a top member, side members, and a bottom member. In implementations a separation member separates the habitat into first and second compartments and a through hole provides access between the two. In implementations an opaque member or closure selectively prevents light from entering the second compartment or selectively prevents light from entering the habitat from one or more directions. In implementations a habitat may be installed through an open window and one or more closure members may be used to provide a seal between the window and the lower window frame or wall to the sides of the habitat (or a window screen may be included and an opening cut through it only at an opening of the habitat). Front and rear transparent closures may selectively keep creatures within the habitat and a rear opaque member may be selectively removed to view the creatures.

The present invention covers means and methods to increase the efficiency of recombinant protein expression, in particular to optimize the industrial production of recombinant proteins in insect pupae, particularly in Trichoplusia ni (T. ni) pupae. Moreover, the present invention is also directed to the pupae itself comprising baculovirus, pupae infected, transformed, transduced or transfected with baculoviruses or bacmids, as well as devices suitable for performing the methods of the present invention.

The invention provides a Noctuid dsx splice cassette for expression of a gene of interest on a sex-specific basis, gene expression systems for imparting a self-limiting trait to transformed Noctuidae, as well as transgenic Noctuidae and methods of suppressing populations of Noctuidae and reducing, inhibiting or eliminating crop damage caused by the Noctuid insects.