In this paper, researchers test a method for germ-line transformation of forensically important flies.
In this study, aimed at developing a method for genetically engineering carrion flies to produce a fluorescent protein (in all stages and tissues) and without altering development rate, researchers found that transgenic P. regina can be used to assess the real-world accuracy of the most common forensic entomological analyses. These insects are suitable for validation studies of forensic entomology age estimation methods. The potential, future, practical application is that this will make it much easier to assess the accuracy of insect-based estimates of time since death. The researchers endeavored to label carrion insects by genetically engineering them to produce a marker, in the form of a fluorescent protein, in all tissues throughout life. The research objectives were to use germ-line transformation techniques to produce laboratory strains of Phormia regina and Chrysomya megacephala that express a fluorescent protein. “Germ-line” refers to the cells that produce egg or sperm, thereby ensuring that all descendants of the transformed insect will fluoresce when illuminated by the correct wavelength of light. The researchers also aimed to determine if the genetic transformation, which potentially can damage the organism, had altered the growth rate of the insect. If not, the transgenic insects should be suitable for field validation of insect age estimation methods.