Dual action larvicidal/adulticidal siRNA insecticides for biorational mosquito control
Abstract
Although mosquito control is the primary means of combating vector-borne illnesses, the current pesticide repertoire is faced with great challenges to sustainability. Our recent screens identified >100 larvicidal small interfering RNA molecules (siRNAs) that represent a new class of biorational mosquito pesticides. The proposed research program will test the hypothesis, supported by preliminary data, that a subset of these siRNAs can function as both larvicides and adulticides for control of the vector mosquito Aedes aegypti. To test this hypothesis, a multidisciplinary team of mosquito biologists will partner with GreenLight Biosciences, which has succeeded in synthesizing interfering RNA at game-changing low costs, to pursue the following aims: 1) Down-selection of effective siRNA pesticides for control of Aedes larvae and adults, 2) Evaluation of siRNA pesticide efficacy and delivery under simulated deployment conditions, and 3) Demonstration of siRNA pesticide efficacy in field trials in which the most effective formulations will be evaluated in siRNA-ovitraps and siRNA-attractive toxic sugar bait stations. It is anticipated that siRNA pesticides, which can be seamlessly integrated with existing control strategies, will protect military members stationed across the globe as well as civilians whose prolonged outdoor exposure puts them at high risk for contracting diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 23, 2018
- Source ID
- W911QY1710002
Entities
People
- Molly Scheel
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Indiana University
- United States Department of Defense