Development of New RNAi-Based Control Technologies for Use in Plant Health Emergencies

The goal of this agreement is to complete a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate successful application of an RNAi-based pest control technology using Asian Longhorn Beetle as a model. The work will demonstrate how new resources to harvest and delivery dsRNA could control this pest. The specific objectives of this research are: (1) identify potential target genes such as those encoding potential inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP), SNF7 and actin genes in ALB genomic database; (2) design sequence-specific dsRNAs targeting critical functional genes in ALB and (3) develop and conduct bioassays to evaluate the efficacy of those designed dsRNAs in killing or suppressing both larvae and adults of ALB via RNAi mechanisms.