dsRNA Molecules Targeting dre4 Gene for Corn Rootworm Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling corn rootworms, such as chemical insecticides, are inefficient and can lead to insecticide-resistant strains and environmental concerns, while RNA interference techniques lack effective target sequences for lethal outcomes in corn rootworms.

Innovation Solution

Development of double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) molecules specifically designed to target and inhibit essential genes in corn rootworms, such as the dre4 gene, when ingested by the insects, using transgenic plants or prokaryotic cells expressing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical insecticides are used to control corn rootworms, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but insecticide-resistant strains develop and environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm and resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical insecticide application with a biological control mechanism using RNA interference. Transgenic plants express dsRNA sequences that are specific to corn rootworm genes, enabling the plant itself to produce the control agent rather than requiring external chemical application. This substitution eliminates environmental contamination and resistance development associated with chemical insecticides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The transgenic corn plants are engineered to produce their own pest control mechanism by expressing dsRNA sequences that target essential corn rootworm genes. The plant serves its own protection function, eliminating the need for external chemical insecticide applications and the associated environmental problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If RNA interference techniques are used to control corn rootworms, then environmental safety is improved, but effective target sequences for lethal outcomes are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidlethal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification and validation of specific dre4 gene sequences from corn rootworm that are essential for larval development. By pre-selecting and characterizing these target sequences, the invention ensures that the dsRNA produced by transgenic plants will achieve lethal outcomes, resolving the effectiveness problem while maintaining environmental safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the dsRNA sequence parameters by identifying specific regions of the dre4 gene that, when targeted, produce maximum lethality. By changing the specific nucleotide sequence parameters of the dsRNA to match critical regions of the dre4 gene, the invention achieves reliable lethal outcomes while maintaining the environmental safety of RNA interference technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If transgenic plants expressing dsRNA are used, then specific gene inhibition in corn rootworms is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific gene inhibitionVSAvoidtransgenic plant system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential dsRNA-encoding sequences from the complex transgenic plant system for use as standalone control agents. By isolating and characterizing the specific nucleotide sequences that encode the active dsRNA, the invention simplifies the application while maintaining specific gene inhibition capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 dsRNA molecules effectively inhibit gene expression in corn rootworms, leading to mortality or reduced growth and development, providing a plant-protective effect against these pests.

Implementation Method 1

RNA interference techniques lack effective target sequences for lethal outcomes in corn rootworms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRNA interference:

Data Source

PatentEP3140406B1DRE4 nucleic acid molecules that confer resistance to coleopteran pests

Publication Date: 2022.06.29 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

Figure 1A)~1B)

AI summary

This disclosure concerns nucleic acid molecules and methods of use thereof for control of coleopteran pests through RNA interference mediated inhibition of target coding and transcribed non coding sequences in coleopteran pests. The disclosure also concerns methods for making transgenic plants that express nucleic acid molecules useful for the control of coleopteran pests, and the plant cells and plants obtained thereby.