Cry3Bb1 Insecticidal Proteins for Corn Rootworm Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling corn rootworms, such as chemical pesticides, face challenges including environmental impact, resistance development, and difficulty in targeting underground larvae, necessitating the need for alternative and environmentally friendly pest control mechanisms with a different mode of action.

Innovation Solution

Development of novel insecticidal proteins, WoodsCRW and its variants, which are expressed in transgenic plants or microorganisms to target corn rootworms and other Coleopteran insects, providing a toxic effect that inhibits their survival, growth, and reproduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical pesticides are applied to control corn rootworms, then insect control effectiveness is improved, but environmental burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical pesticides with biologically derived insecticidal proteins (Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis). These proteins provide insect control through a biological mechanism rather than chemical toxicity, reducing environmental burden while maintaining effectiveness against corn rootworms and other coleopteran pests

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The insecticidal proteins are expressed within the plant itself (transgenic corn plants), allowing the plant to produce its own pest control agent. This eliminates the need for external chemical pesticide applications and reduces environmental contamination while providing continuous protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If chemical pesticides are applied to control corn rootworms, then insect control effectiveness is improved, but resistant insect varieties develop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect control effectivenessVSAvoidinsect resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple different Cry proteins (Cry3Bb1, Cry34Ab1, Cry35Ab1, and their combinations) that target corn rootworms through different modes of action. This diversity in protein structure and mechanism prevents resistance development by ensuring that insects cannot easily adapt to all the proteins simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If chemical pesticides are applied to control corn rootworms, then insect control effectiveness is improved, but difficulty in targeting underground larvae increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect control effectivenessVSAvoiddifficulty in applying rescue treatments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The insecticidal proteins are incorporated into the corn plants themselves through genetic transformation, providing prophylactic protection before larvae can establish themselves. The plants continuously produce the protective proteins in their tissues, including roots, making the entire plant structure a source of protection against underground-feeding larvae

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The novel insecticidal proteins effectively control economically important Coleopteran pests like western and northern corn rootworms with minimal environmental impact, offering a sustainable solution by integrating into transgenic plants or being applied directly to infested areas, thereby reducing crop damage and resistance risks.

Implementation Method 1

The 5-endotoxins are proteins held within a crystalline matrix that are known to possess insecticidal activity when ingested by certain insects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPore formation:

Implementation Method 2

providing a toxic effect that inhibits their survival, growth, and reproduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCell lysis:

Data Source

PatentEP3568022B1Insecticidal proteins

Publication Date: 2022.06.15 SYNGENTA PARTICIPATIONS AG

AI summary

Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, novel insecticidal proteins having toxicity against Coleopteran and/or Lepidopteran insect pests are provided. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel insecticidal proteins are also provided. Methods of making the insecticidal proteins and methods of using the insecticidal proteins and nucleic acids encoding the insecticidal proteins of the invention, for example in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage, are also disclosed.