Pollinator Gut Microbiome Modification for Neonicotinoid Degradation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides has led to significant declines in honey bee, bat, and monarch butterfly populations due to their toxic effects and persistence in the environment, disrupting pollinators' cognitive abilities and physiology, and threatening ecosystem stability and food security.

Innovation Solution

Employing genes from microbes such as Ochrobactrum intermedium and using CRISPR-Cas or Cpf1 systems to modify the gut microbiomes of honey bees, bats, and butterflies, enabling them to assimilate and degrade neonicotinoids, thereby reducing their harmful effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If neonicotinoid pesticides are used to control insect pests, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but honey bee and pollinator populations suffer toxic effects and population declines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidtoxic effects on honey bees and pollinators

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (e.g., polyethylene glycol, Tween 80, or other surfactants) that modifies the interaction between neonicotinoid pesticides and honey bees. This intermediary reduces the toxic uptake of neonicotinoids by bees while maintaining pest control efficacy, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective pest control and protection of pollinators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If neonicotinoid pesticides are applied to crops, then agricultural productivity is improved, but ecosystem stability is threatened due to persistence and accumulation in the environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagricultural productivityVSAvoidecosystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of neonicotinoid formulations by incorporating adjuvants or alternative compounds that reduce environmental persistence and accumulation. This allows maintaining agricultural productivity while reducing the long-term ecological impact and ecosystem disruption caused by persistent neonicotinoid residues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If honey bees are exposed to neonicotinoids, then their cognitive abilities and physiology are disrupted, but population survival is threatened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecognitive function maintenanceVSAvoidpollinator population size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of neonicotinoids on honey bee cognition into a beneficial outcome by using sublethal doses that, when combined with protective adjuvants or alternative formulations, actually enhance bee navigation and foraging efficiency while maintaining population health. This transforms the originally harmful pesticide exposure into a protective mechanism that supports both individual bee cognition and overall population survival

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 approach enhances the ability of pollinators to detoxify neonicotinoids, improving their health and fitness, and potentially reversing population declines by reducing the toxic impacts of these pesticides on their cognitive functions and overall survival.

Implementation Method 1

using CRISPR-Cas or Cpf1 systems to modify the gut microbiomes of honey bees, bats, and butterflies, enabling them to assimilate and degrade neonicotinoids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCRISPR-Cas system:

Implementation Method 2

using CRISPR-Cas or Cpf1 systems to modify the gut microbiomes of honey bees, bats, and butterflies, enabling them to assimilate and degrade neonicotinoids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCRISPR-Cpf1 system:

Implementation Method 3

employing genes from microbes such as Ochrobactrum intermedium and using CRISPR-Cas or Cpf1 systems to modify the gut microbiomes... enabling them to assimilate and degrade neonicotinoids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 4

employing genes from microbes such as Ochrobactrum intermedium... enabling them to assimilate and degrade neonicotinoids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic degradation: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS10675347B2Method and system for protecting honey bees from fipronil pesticides

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 SEED HEALTH INC

AI summary

A method and system for the treatment of honey bees (Apis mellifera), bats, and butterflies protects them from various life threatening conditions, including Colony Collapse Disorder, white nose syndrome, etc. and in particular, provides honey bees, bats and butterflies with the ability to assimilate and degrade pesticides such as neonicotinoids and fipronil.