The benefits of novel minicell-encapsulated biorationals with existing IPM strategies

Sunday, November 13, 2022

11:18 AM – 11:30 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 110

Presenting Author(s)

LC

Lisa Chen

RNAi Scientist
AgroSpheres
Charlottesville, Virginia

Co-Author(s)

MM

Margaret Manto

AgroSpheres
Charlottesville, Virginia
AS

Ameer Shakeel

AgroSpheres
Charlottesville, Virginia
PP

Payam Pourtaheri

AgroSpheres
Charlottesville, Virginia
ES

Elizabeth Somers

AgroSpheres
Charlottesville, Virginia

Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera frugiperda, and Solenopsis invicta are among some of the most economically devastating pests in the US, collectively causing $7 billion in annual losses. Spray induced gene silencing (SIGS) using topical dsRNA applications has risen as a promising, target-specific, and environmentally friendly disease management strategy against pests. Bacterially-derived anucleated minicells can be utilized as a cost effective and scalable platform for dsRNA production and encapsulation. Minicell-encapsulated dsRNA (ME-dsRNA) is shielded from RNase degradation and provides stability against applied heat and UV rays as well as enhanced delivery of active to target pest.