Virus-like particles for targeted insect pest delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling insect pests and plant pathogens are inefficient and lack specificity, with existing viral delivery systems often degrading in the insect gut and failing to target specific pests effectively.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel modified-virus-like particles (VLPs) that combine nucleotides encoding peptide toxins or dsRNAs with insect-specific transport peptides, allowing for efficient internalization into insect gut cells and targeted delivery of cargo molecules, such as insecticidal peptides or chemicals, using fusion or encapsulated VLPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional viral delivery systems are used to deliver cargo molecules to insects, then delivery capability is achieved, but the viral particles degrade in the insect gut and fail to maintain reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential functional components (capsid proteins and cargo molecules) from complete viral particles to create virus-like particles. By removing the viral genetic material and replication machinery while retaining the protective capsid structure and delivery capability, the VLPs avoid degradation issues while maintaining delivery reliability to insect gut cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses insect-specific viral coat proteins as intermediary carriers that mediate the delivery of cargo molecules. These coat proteins act as intermediaries that protect the cargo during ingestion, facilitate passage through the insect gut, and enable specific targeting of pest species without the cargo being degraded by digestive enzymes.
2Reliability
If existing viral delivery systems are used, then some delivery capability is achieved, but they lack specificity to target particular pest species effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting and engineering specific viral coat proteins that are naturally specific to particular insect species. Each VLP is designed with coat proteins that match the target pest's species-specific receptors, enabling selective delivery to Lepidopteran or Hemipteran pests while leaving non-target organisms unaffected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the delivery system by modifying viral coat protein sequences to optimize binding affinity and specificity for target pest species. By adjusting amino acid sequences and structural parameters of the coat proteins, the system achieves enhanced species-specific recognition and delivery efficiency.
3Productivity
If viral particles are used for delivery, then entry into insect gut cells is achieved, but the process lacks efficiency and cargo molecules are degraded before internalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the cargo molecules within protective VLP structures before exposure to the insect gut environment. The cargo is encapsulated within the capsid proteins in advance, which protects it from digestive enzymes during the ingestion and transit process, ensuring integrity upon reaching the target cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite structures by combining cargo molecules (peptides, dsRNAs, or chemicals) with viral coat proteins to form VLPs. This composite structure provides both the protective qualities of the protein capsid and the functional activity of the cargo, enabling efficient delivery while maintaining cargo integrity throughout the delivery process.
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
Enhances the efficacy and specificity of cargo molecules, effectively controlling Lepidopteran or Hemipteran insect pests and providing enhanced pest resistance and agronomic benefits to plants, including increased yield and disease resistance.
Implementation Method 1
The viral particles are next internalized into the gut tissue through specific cellular process (i.e. receptor mediated endocytosis/lipid raft/caveolae etc).
Implementation Method 2
viral coat proteins seem to: 1. mediate specificity to certain insect species; 2. provide resistance of the viral genetic material to the insect gut digestive system
Data Source
AI summary
Herein, is describe a new technology that exploits modified-virus-like particles (VLP) to improve deliverability and increase effectiveness of dsRNAs/chemicals/peptides to difficult-to-control phytophagous insect pests, including hemipteran and lepidopteran insects. This technology has also the potential to control plant pathogens including fungi, like Asian Soybean Rust (ASR).