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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects
Published on: May 4, 2018
Overview of polymeric polyplexes for dsRNA delivery in insects: complexation, stability, and design considerations
Triin Kallavus1,2, Jonathan Willow3, Kristof De Schutter2
1Chair of Plant Health, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.
None:
Polymer-based delivery systems for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) have gained attention as a promising strategy for RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated insect pest control. Despite encouraging in vitro results, their practical application remains limited by methodological inconsistencies and species-specific challenges. Variability in experimental parameters, such as nitrogen/phosphorous (N/P) ratios, dsRNA lengths, and buffer systems, complicates reproducibility and cross-study comparisons. Moreover, in vitro stability and transfection efficiency often fail to predict in vivo RNAi outcomes, highlighting the need for more physiologically relevant models. Variation in RNAi efficiency across insect orders, such as Lepidoptera and Hemiptera, continues to challenge the generalizability of polymer-based delivery systems. To advance the field, future research should focus on species-tailored polymer design, improved predictive assays, and comprehensive environmental safety evaluations. Interdisciplinary collaboration will be essential to develop RNAi delivery platforms that are efficient, scalable, and ecologically sustainable.
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