Genetic modification of the bee parasite Crithidia bombi for improved visualization and protein localization

Crithidia bombi is a trypanosomatid parasite that infects several species of bumble bees (Bombus spp.), by adhering to their intestinal tract. Crithidia bombi infection impairs learning and reduces survival of workers and overwintering queens. Although there is extensive research on the ecology of this host-pathogen system, we understand far less about the mechanisms that mediate internal infection dynamics. Crithidia bombi infects hosts by attaching to the hindgut via the flagellum, and one previous study found that a nectar secondary compound removed the flagellum, preventing attachment. However, approaches that allow more detailed observation of parasite attachment and growth would allow us to better understand factors mediating this host-pathogen relationship. We established techniques for genetic manipulation and visualization of cultured C. bombi. Using constructs established for Crithidia fasciculata, we successfully generated C. bombi cells expressing ectopic fluorescent transge..., , , # Method for genetic modification of *Crithidia bombi*

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.hqbzkh1qt](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.hqbzkh1qt)

## This file describes the archived CSV and rmd file(s) associated with the paper

\"Genetic modification of the bee parasite Crithidia bombi for improved visualization and protein localization \"

by Blyssalyn V. Bieber, Sarah G. Lockett, Sonja K. Glasser, Faith A. St. Clair, Neida Portillo, Lynn S. Adler, Megan L. Povelones

### **red\_cells.csv**

date: Date of image sample
flask_letter: A unique alphabetical identifier for each flask
antibiotic: Treatment of presence/absence of antibiotic neomycin in flasks (yes or no)
num_trial_days: The number of days since the start of the trial
red_cells: Number of red fluorescent cells
all_cells: Number of all cells
ratio_red_all: Ratio of red cells to all cells

### **hygromycin\_growth\_curve.csv**

replicate: Number of replicate (1,2,3)
time: Duration of time between measuring cell density, in hours
no_hyg...