The challenge
Combating crop pest and pathogens: an evolving battle
It's estimated that 20-40 per cent of crops are lost worldwide due to pests and pathogens, costing the global economy around $220 billion dollars annually (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, 2019).
Current methods for controlling pests and pathogens include traditional breeding for resistance, genetic manipulation (GM) and the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. These technologies are expensive and takes years to develop. They are also costly for the grower who need to treat their crops.
Pests and pathogens naturally evolve resistance to these solutions. This creates further crop losses and reduces options for controlling the pest. Therefore, a new generation of technologies are required that can help control future pest and pathogen populations and ensure sustainable food production.
Our response
Targeted control of gene expression
CSIRO pioneered the discovery and development of RNAi technology in the late 90's. Since then it has successfully been used in many commercial products for plants, animals and human health.
RNAi works by specifically targeting and silencing genes within the target organism i.e. plant, insect or pathogen.
In the case of pests and pathogens, RNAi can be used to target genes essential to the organism's growth and fitness, helping control the population of pests and pathogens, limiting damage to crops.
Such an approach is highly specific. It doesn't leave harmful chemical residues and has the potential to be used in both GM and non-GM applications.
Our RNA engineering team is now harnessing and improving RNAi technology to specifically address problems facing the industry.
This includes RNA molecules which:
- accumulate at high levels within the plant making them ideal for targeting insects
- can impact plant phenotypes
- can amplify the silencing signal within plants systems silencing genes, and
- are ideal for topical applications.
Our RNA engineering team is innovating and testing the boundaries on what is possible with RNA technologies and is keen to establish collaborations, co-investment and joint projects with interested parties.
Contact us to see if we have an RNAi solution for your pest and pathogen problem.