University of Nevada-Reno · BiochemistryTick Biology and Pathogen Research Lab
Monika Gulia-Nuss · Reno, Nevada
Research Focus
Dr. Monika Gulia-Nuss's research focuses on understanding the biology of ticks and the pathogens they transmit, such as those causing Lyme disease. The lab is developing advanced genetic techniques, particularly using CRISPR/Cas9, to create genetically modified ticks that can help scientists study how ticks transmit diseases. This work aims to improve tick control strategies and enhance our knowledge of tick biology at the molecular level, ultimately contributing to public health and agricultural advancement.
CRISPRticksgenetic transformationgene editingtick-borne diseasespathogen transmissionmolecular biology
Research Aims
5AIM 01Determine the timing and site of primordial germ cell formation in ticks.
AIM 02Develop efficient methods to create germline-edited ticks using Vasa-Cas9 lines.
AIM 03Compare the efficiency of different DNA repair pathways for precise genome editing in ticks.
AIM 04Elucidate the genetic basis of tick phenotypes related to disease transmission.
AIM 05Advance the molecular tools available for studying tick biology and pathogen interactions.
Skills the Lab Values
CRISPR/Cas9embryo injectiongenome editingRNA sequencingmolecular cloningtissue cultureDNA repair techniquesgene knockouttransgenic modelssingle-cell RNA sequencing
Output against the department
Publications60bottom 11% of dept.357th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.4kbottom 5% of dept.381st of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.