Project:

Isolating and Sequencing Aeds atlanticus and Aedes tormentor DNA: DNA Barcoding

Students:

Kymora Lewis, Lillian Moronta, Leo Lin

School:

West Babylon Senior High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Andrea Durbin

Abstract:

Tracking and identification of different species of mosquitoes help in preventing the risks in disease they bring. In the early 1970s, the SCDHS established a mosquito pathogen surveillance program in response to finding Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) in animals. It has since grown to include other diseases in 50 locations throughout Suffolk County. (Departments, n.d) [2]. Almost 70 species live in NY (Departments, n.d) [2]. Two different ones are the Aedes Atlanticus and Aedes Tormentor. They both live in Texas, Kansas, and as far as New York. (Aedes Atlanticus, n.d) [3]. They live best in warmer, wetter environments. The two species are almost identical, though differences in the pale scales on the dorsal aspect of the head can distinguish the two. (Aedes Atlanticus, n.d) [3]. Human activities can warm up areas, which make it better places for mosquitoes to live. In this experiment, we will be using DNA barcoding in the Cold Spring Harbor Research Center to identify the dif

Poster:

Team samples: