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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
10:14
Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects
Published on: May 4, 2018
RNAi-mediated crop protection against insects.
Daniel R G Price1, John A Gatehouse
1School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
Trends in Biotechnology
|May 27, 2008
Summary
RNA interference (RNAi) using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can now be delivered orally to insects, enabling gene silencing. Transgenic plants expressing dsRNA offer a novel approach for developing insect-resistant crops.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Entomology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- RNA interference (RNAi) is crucial for insect gene expression research.
- Current RNAi methods in insects require direct double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection, limiting practical applications.
- Gene silencing via dsRNA feeding is established in nematodes but not insects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of oral dsRNA delivery for gene silencing in insects.
- To explore the potential of RNAi in developing insect-resistant crops.
Main Methods:
- Dietary administration of dsRNA to insects.
- Development of transgenic plants expressing dsRNA targeting insect genes.
Main Results:
- Oral dsRNA feeding effectively downregulates target gene expression in insects.
- Transgenic plants expressing dsRNA confer protection against insect pests.
Conclusions:
- Dietary dsRNA delivery is a viable method for insect gene silencing.
- Transgenic crops expressing dsRNA represent a promising strategy for sustainable pest management.
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