Hybrid Genome Assembly of the Gulf Coast Tick Amblyomma maculatum
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Amblyomma maculatum, also known as the Gulf Coast tick, is an ectoparasite historically found throughout much of the southeastern United States. Over the past 2 decades, new invasive populations of Gulf Coast ticks have expanded north, including into eastern Virginia. Range expansions of human-biting ticks present serious public health concerns because of the pathogens they can carry. The Gulf Coast tick is a principal vector of Rickettsia parkeri which can cause disease in humans, and Hepatozoon americanum which can infect canines. No genomic resources for the genus Amblyomma are currently available. In this present study, we aimed to sequence and perform hybrid assembly of the entire A. maculatum genome. A genome is the complete set of genes in an organism. The gulf coast tick has 10 autosomal chromosome pairs and 1 sex chromosome, with a total sequence length of around 2.4 billion base pairs. To assemble the complete genome, we utilized Illumina and Nanopore sequencing technologies. We used the longer Nanopore fragments to scaffold the Illumina fragments, which were smaller but offered a much higher accuracy than Nanopore. The completed genome will be foundational for further research regarding the Gulf Coast tick. Scientists can use the genome to better understand gene location, find potential genetic basis for disease transmission, and examine how different gene variants may be selected in new emerging populations. The genome can be used for comparative genomic studies with other tick species, including species outside the Amblyomma genus.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
David T. Gauthier
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Disciplines
Bioinformatics | Genomics
Session Title
Colleges of Sciences UG Research #2
Location
Zoom
Start Date
3-19-2022 2:15 PM
End Date
3-19-2022 3:15 PM
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Hybrid Genome Assembly of the Gulf Coast Tick Amblyomma maculatum
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Amblyomma maculatum, also known as the Gulf Coast tick, is an ectoparasite historically found throughout much of the southeastern United States. Over the past 2 decades, new invasive populations of Gulf Coast ticks have expanded north, including into eastern Virginia. Range expansions of human-biting ticks present serious public health concerns because of the pathogens they can carry. The Gulf Coast tick is a principal vector of Rickettsia parkeri which can cause disease in humans, and Hepatozoon americanum which can infect canines. No genomic resources for the genus Amblyomma are currently available. In this present study, we aimed to sequence and perform hybrid assembly of the entire A. maculatum genome. A genome is the complete set of genes in an organism. The gulf coast tick has 10 autosomal chromosome pairs and 1 sex chromosome, with a total sequence length of around 2.4 billion base pairs. To assemble the complete genome, we utilized Illumina and Nanopore sequencing technologies. We used the longer Nanopore fragments to scaffold the Illumina fragments, which were smaller but offered a much higher accuracy than Nanopore. The completed genome will be foundational for further research regarding the Gulf Coast tick. Scientists can use the genome to better understand gene location, find potential genetic basis for disease transmission, and examine how different gene variants may be selected in new emerging populations. The genome can be used for comparative genomic studies with other tick species, including species outside the Amblyomma genus.