Background

Chemicals are commonly used as insecticides. Difficulties with chemical pest control include non-species specific elimination of insects, ecological disadvantages and potential insect resistance. In trying to provide a viable, ecologically conscious method of insect control, irradiation of males to induce sterility is also used. The disadvantage to this method is that these males are non-competitive and therefore a decrease in insect population is not easily achieved. Genetic modifications of insects may be another strategy to control insect populations; however, transgenic insects may pose other consequences to the ecosystem.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful reverse genetics technique which, through the delivery of sequence-specific double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), can selectively reduce the expression of targeted genes in most eukaryotes. In insects, RNAi has been widely used for gene- validation studies in both model and non-model species, and more recently, there has been increased interest in the use of RNAi in the development of novel methods of pest control.

Technology Overview

The technology consists of the use of species‑specific interfering RNA (RNAi) to reduce expression of testis-specific genes important in male insect fertility and fecundity. Unlike chemical or irradiation‑induced sterility, this method does not reduce the competitive fitness of the released males.

Novel double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) are administered through feeding to larva insects to inhibit the expression of genes required for normal testis development.

Additionally, this method may also be used to target female-specific genes in order to generate highly male‑biased insect populations.

Silencing the buzz: a new approach to population suppression of mosquitoes by feeding larvae double-stranded RNAs. Whyard S et. al (2015). Parasit Vectors. 2015 Feb 12;8:96.

RNA Interference-Mediated Knockdown of Male Fertility Genes in the Queensland Fruit Fly Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae). Cruz C et al. (2018). Insects. 2018 Aug 10;9(3):96.

A novel paperclip double-stranded RNA structure demonstrates clathrin-independent uptake in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Abbasi R et al. (2020). Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2020 Dec;127:103492.

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.

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.

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 wide variety of fly and moth species.

Opportunity

The University is actively seeking a Licensee or Collaborator to move this patent portfolio to the market.

The University of Manitoba also readily welcomes interactions with any investor or entrepreneur interested in the creation of a start‑up around this technology.

NOTE ‑ This Technology maybe combined with IN‑PART Technology S201019-10230-38405 (Paperclip RNA Structure to Inhibit Target Gene Expression) to further increase efficacy of the method.

Sterile Insect Technology for Control of Human and Agricultural Pests

Patents

IP Status

Seeking