More specific insecticides: harnessing knowledge of insect receptors

Project Information

LessToxCites

Grant agreement ID: 101113423

DOI

10.3030/101113423

Project closed

EC signature date 27 February 2023

Start date 1 June 2023

End date 30 November 2024

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 150 000,00

Coordinated by

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LessToxCites (More specific insecticides: harnessing knowledge of insect receptors)

Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Agricultural pest control heavily relies on insecticides, but these chemicals can harm ecosystems, particularly pollinators like bees. In response, Europe has banned several insecticides to protect these essential species. However, this creates an urgent need for new solutions that target pests without harming beneficial organisms. Current options lack the precision needed to protect ecosystems while controlling pests. In this context, the ERC-funded LessToxCites project will develop species-specific insecticides using peptides that target pest neurotransmitter receptors. By adapting existing tools from mammalian research and screening peptide libraries, the project aims to create safer pest control methods. Alongside scientific development, the project explores commercialisation to ensure the widespread application of these innovative solutions.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the ERC-PoC project, we developed biochemical tools to obtain pure insect neurotransmitter receptors. We tailored the Yeast Surface Display technology for those receptors, and screened libraries of de novo designed protein binders.
At the end of the project, we have identified a set of binders for a key GABAA insect receptor

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Further research is needed to replicate the results on key pest species receptors. This will require additional maturation funding, before translation into a product