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Title: RNAi at work: Targeting invertebrate pests and beneficial organisms' diseases

Author
item BEN-CHANOCH, E - Beeologics, Llc
item ELLIS, J - University Of Florida
item GLICK, E - Beeologics, Llc
item Hunter, Wayne
item MAORI, E - Hebrew University
item PALDI, N - Beeologics, Llc
item SELA, I - Hebrew University
item YARDEN, G - Beeologics, Llc

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/14/2009
Publication Date: 1/1/2010
Citation: Ben-Chanoch, E., Ellis, J.D., Glick, E., Hunter, W.B., Maori, E., Paldi, N., Sela, I., Yarden, G. 2010. RNAi at work: Targeting invertebrate pests and beneficial organisms' diseases [abstract]. Plant and Animal Genome XVIII Conference, January 9-13, 2010, San Diego, California. p. 18.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Invertebrates present two types of large scale RNAi application opportunities: pest control and beneficial insect health. The former involves the introduction of sustainable applications to keep pest populations low, and the latter represents the challenge of keeping beneficial organisms healthy. RNAi-based solutions are natural and environmentally friendly thus obtain the traits which other existing strategies are lacking – target specificity and efficacy. Beeologics (www.beeologics.com) has established a simple and relatively inexpensive procedure to produce large quantities of dsRNA vaccine-like, to target pest or pathogen sequences. Remebee is the company’s leading dsRNA product produced in-vitro and is homologous to honeybee viral sequences. The exogenously supplied Remebee mimics the natural dsRNA intermediate involved in viral replication, within the honeybee cells. In large scale field trials, the gene silencing mechanism induced by Remebee that was fed to the bees was shown to be highly effective in preventing honeybee mortality from the Israel Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV). RNAi application opportunities refer to any organism whose genome has been unveiled or partially sequenced thus enabling scientists to develop silencing strategies. Basic elements of the new products’ design including: mechanism of action, large-scale production, regulation and ongoing development projects are discussed.