Technology Overview

The technology consists of the use of sterile insect techniques to reduce expression of specific genes important in male insect fertility. Feeding novel double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) to juvenile pest insects can inhibit the expression of testis-specific genes, reducing male fertility and fecundity in adults. Additionally, this method can also be used to target female-specific genes in order to generate highly male‑biased insect populations.

This technique allows for the production of sterilized males that, when tested in mating competitions with fertile males, were highly effective in reducing pest insect populations.

Benefits

Unlike other DNA-targeting methods, our method does not introduce inheritable genetic material into the target species (i.e. non-GMO), thus avoiding the risks that transgenic insects may pose to the environment.

The current method is also species-specific, allowing users to avoid the off-target effects on beneficial insects that often occur with chemical pest control.

Applications

This method can be used for insect control in:

Agriculture ‑ Targeted treatments to mitigate crop damage due to insect infestations.
Human Health ‑ Vector control to disrupt disease transmission.

While initial proof‑of‑concept work has focused on the use of this method for mosquito (Culicidae) and fruit fly (Tephritidae) control, data suggests that this method is applicable to control a variety of fly and moth species.

Biological Control of Insects

Patents

IP Status

Seeking