Vegetable-Mediated dsRNA Delivery for RNAi in Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive insect pest causing significant ecological and economic damage, with no effective control methods currently available, and existing RNAi delivery methods like mechanical microinjection are impractical for agricultural use.

Innovation Solution

Development of a vegetable-mediated dsRNA delivery method using green beans to orally deliver dsRNAs targeting specific genes in BMSB, allowing for efficient RNAi induction and control of the pest through transgenic plants or direct ingestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical microinjection is used to deliver dsRNA, then RNAi induction is effective, but the method is impractical for agricultural use due to complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRNAi induction effectivenessVSAvoiddelivery method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses plant tissue as an intermediary carrier to deliver dsRNA to the pest. Instead of direct injection, the dsRNA is incorporated into plant material that the pest consumes naturally, simplifying the delivery mechanism while maintaining effectiveness. The plant acts as a bridge between the dsRNA and the target pest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical microinjection system with a biological feeding system. Instead of using syringes and needles to inject dsRNA, the system allows pests to acquire dsRNA through their natural feeding behavior on treated plant material, eliminating complex mechanical equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional pesticides are used, then pest control is achieved, but no effective control methods exist for BMSB specifically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidcontrol method availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mode of action from conventional chemical pesticides to RNA interference. By utilizing a different biological mechanism (gene silencing through dsRNA) rather than chemical toxicity, the invention provides an effective control method where traditional pesticides have failed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses synthetic dsRNA that can be produced relatively inexpensively and applied through plant treatment. The dsRNA degrades naturally after use, and new applications can be made as needed, providing a flexible and cost-effective control strategy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If dsRNA is applied directly to pests, then gene depletion occurs, but the application method is not scalable for agriculture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegene depletion accuracyVSAvoidagricultural scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the dsRNA application universal by incorporating it into plant material that can be used across various agricultural settings. The treated plants serve multiple functions: they maintain their crop value and simultaneously deliver dsRNA to pests, making the approach scalable to field conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pest performs the delivery function for itself by naturally feeding on the treated plant material. The dsRNA is already positioned in the plant where the pest will consume it, eliminating the need for separate application steps and enabling easy scaling to agricultural production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This method effectively induces RNAi in BMSB, demonstrating significant gene depletion and potential for biological control of the pest, offering a practical and economical approach for agricultural application.

Implementation Method 1

RNAi is a well described gene regulatory mechanism wherein exogenous dsRNA is introduced into the cells of eukaryotic organisms and targets degradation of host cell mRNAs containing sequences complementary to the dsRNA

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRNA interference (RNAi):

Implementation Method 2

RNAi is a phenomenon of posttranscriptional gene silencing mediated by dsRNA or small interfering RNA siRNA. RNAi involves sequence specific degradation of a target gene mRNA mediated by dsRNA

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosttranscriptional gene silencing:

Data Source

PatentUS10246710B2Double strand RNA as molecular biopesticides for RNA interference through feeding in the hemipteran invasive insect pest, brown marmorated stink bug

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

AI summary

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of delivering double strand ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) to control the insect pest, the brown marmorated stink bug. Several dsRNA species that target genes are disclosed herein that can be used individually or in combination. The dsRNA species can be used to induce RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to decrease target gene expression. RNAi can be used alone, or in combination with other pest control measures to target the brown marmorated stink bug.