More specific insecticides: harnessing knowledge of insect receptors

Informazioni relative al progetto

LessToxCites

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 101113423

DOI

10.3030/101113423

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 27 Febbraio 2023

Data di avvio 1 Giugno 2023

Data di completamento 30 Novembre 2024

Finanziato da

• European Research Council (ERC)

Costo totale

Nessun dato

Contributo UE

€ 150 000,00

Coordinato da

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
France

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

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-06-01 al 2024-11-30

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

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.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

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

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

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