Insect control

We have developed a novel plant technology that allows certain polypeptides to be expressed that otherwise have negative effects on plant cells. Vacuolar targeting of such proteins allows the accumulation of useful amounts of the proteins while reducing or eliminating deleterious effects that occur when the proteins are expressed in other cell compartments or in the extracellular space.

The vacuolar targeting strategy allows expression of effective concentrations of insecticidal polypeptides in plants, resulting in resistance to attack by a variety of insect pests.

Applications

In agriculture, horticulture and forestry as a means of giving plants self-protection from insect damage.

Advantages

The ability to express in plants certain polypeptides with insecticidal action without negative effects on plant health.

These proteins have broad toxicity to insects from a range of orders including plant-feeding Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and mites. It appears that the mode of action is prevention of moulting.

Stage of development

Patents have been granted in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, with patents pending in Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Canada, India, and the United States.

Fertile plants expressing two insecticidal proteins have been produced and were shown to be well protected from insect damage.
PCT publication number WO 00/04049.

Business option

Licensing of the chimeric construct for applications in specific fields of use.

Contact Beth Thomas Stark