In this project, due to the multidisciplinary expertise of the group members, we will undertake a comprehensive study of two distinct domesticated animals, approaching them from various angles, but bound together by a shared challenge: the detrimental impact of invertebrate parasites. Our objective is to uncover novel strategies for their management. This includes conducting a thorough examination of the resistance to acaricides in V. destructor, aiming to facilitate the development of newly efficacious treatments and to explore the potential of B. thuringiensis strains capable of combatting parasitic nematodes in vertebrates. In both cases, we will be dedicated to investigating the molecular mechanisms that govern parasite activity and their resilience to control methods. The specific objectives are:
- Unraveling the mechanisms underlying the resistance to acaricides in V. destructor.
- Evaluate the Bt toxicity towards nematodes and characterize its mode of action
