PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: <\/p>\n
12-Nov-2014 <\/p>\n
Contact: Kun Yan Zhu kzhu@k-state.edu<\/a> 785-532-4721 Kansas State University @k_state_news<\/p>\n MANHATTAN, Kansas -- Kansas State University researchers have developed a patented method of keeping mosquitoes and other insect pests at bay. <\/p>\n U.S. Patent 8,841,272, \"Double-Stranded RNA-Based Nanoparticles for Insect Gene Silencing,\" was recently awarded to the Kansas State University Research Foundation, a nonprofit corporation responsible for managing technology transfer activities at the university. The patent covers microscopic, genetics-based technology that can help safely kill mosquitos and other insect pests. <\/p>\n Kun Yan Zhu, professor of entomology; Xin Zhang, research associate in the Division of Biology; and Jianzhen Zhang, visiting scientist from Shanxi University in China, developed the technology: nanoparticles comprised of a nontoxic, biodegradable polymer matrix and insect derived double-stranded ribonucleic acid, or dsRNA. Double-stranded RNA is a synthesized molecule that can trigger a biological process known as RNA interference, or RNAi, to destroy the genetic code of an insect in a specific DNA sequence. <\/p>\n The technology is expected to have great potential for safe and effective control of insect pests, Zhu said. <\/p>\n \"For example, we can buy cockroach bait that contains a toxic substance to kill cockroaches. However, the bait could potentially harm whatever else ingests it,\" Zhu said. \"If we can incorporate dsRNA specifically targeting a cockroach gene in the bait rather than a toxic substance, the bait would not harm other organisms, such as pets, because the dsRNA is designed to specifically disable the function of the cockroach gene.\" <\/p>\n Researchers developed the technology while looking at how to disable gene functions in mosquito larvae. After testing a series of unsuccessful genetic techniques, the team turned to a nanoparticle-based approach. <\/p>\n Once ingested, the nanoparticles act as a Trojan horse, releasing the loosely bound dsRNA into the insect gut. The dsRNA then triggers a genetic chain reaction that destroys specific messenger RNA, or mRNA, in the developing insects. Messenger RNA carries important genetic information. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n More here: <\/p>\n Patent awarded for genetics-based nanotechnology against mosquitoes, insect pests<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 12-Nov-2014 Contact: Kun Yan Zhu kzhu@k-state.edu<\/a> 785-532-4721 Kansas State University @k_state_news MANHATTAN, Kansas -- Kansas State University researchers have developed a patented method of keeping mosquitoes and other insect pests at bay. Continue reading