Summary
Ta1: brown tree snake population control: performers are expected to work with the brown tree snake before the end of phase 1. In order to speed gdt construct development, other snake species located within the us may be considered in scope, but this must be justified in the proposal by showing sufficient genetic or reproductive similarity to the bts (for example, from the colubridae family with zz/zw sex chromosomes). It will be seen as beneficial if a more rapidly breeding snake is found to be a suitable model of bts genetics. Vertebrate organisms other than bts (or its closely related species) and non-vertebrate organisms will be considered out-of-scope for this effort. Gdt constructs may use crispr-cas systems or other novel discoveries that may be specific to bts. It is expected that multiple approaches will be considered. Approaches that may be more difficult to confine to the island of guam, for example, gdt of bts prey/mice, will be considered out of scope. Viruses may be considered in scope if transmission occurs only through direct contact between individual bts, is confined specifically to bts species, and is not latent in the environment. Creation of gdt snakes will require a dna delivery mechanism to be developed for use in bts. Counter drive approaches must also be identified and should be demonstrated to be compatible with the drive methods chosen. Tracking gdt progress after deployment is a major challenge for cryptid species such as bts, and will be critical for permitting, field trials, and adoption of gdt. Tracking technologies that persist over multiple generations of gdt shall be included in conforming proposals. Methods that allow for standoff tracking over multiple generations will be considered favorably, but approaches relying on environmental dna signatures may be sufficient. See attached file.
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