Project description
Cost-effective dsRNA nanoformulations for tomato crop protection
Plant pests cause significant annual crop yield decreases. The whitefly alone leads to hundreds of millions of euros in losses each year by transmitting harmful plant viruses. Conventional pesticides have negative environmental impacts and contribute to pest resistance. Spray-induced genetic silencing (SIGS) using RNA interference shows promise as an alternative. However, challenges remain, such as cost-effective dsRNA production and stability in crop environments. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the SiNanoCrop project aims to develop innovative and cost-effective approaches to protect tomato plants. It intends to synthesise dsRNA against whiteflies and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl (TYLCV), and design formulations to deliver the dsRNA effectively. The project will integrate polymer science, nanotechnology, and biotechnology to advance biopesticide technology for field use.
Objective
The impact of plant pests on global crop yields is a significant concern, leading to an annual decrease of more than 30% in crop production. The whitefly alone incurs losses exceeding $300 million each year, primarily due to its role in transmitting harmful plant viruses like the Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl virus (TYLCV), which poses a substantial threat to tomato crops worldwide. The use of conventional pesticides raises environmental alarms, negatively affects beneficial insects, and contributes to pest resistance. Initiatives like the European Green Deal aim to promote sustainable agriculture by reducing chemical pesticide usage by 50% by 2030. Spray-induced genetic silencing (SIGS), harnessing the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism, has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional pesticides. This non-GMO approach offers a sustainable and pathogen-specific protection method by silencing key genes in target pests through the foliar application of dsRNA molecules. However, certain challenges remain unresolved, including the cost-effective production of dsRNA, the ability to control multiple species simultaneously, and dsRNA stability and transport in crop environments. This project seeks to overcome these challenges by implementing innovative, safe, and cost-effective approaches. Firstly, we will synthesize dsRNA containing regions from both whitefly and TYLCV through microbial fermentation and apply a simple purification method to achieve high-efficiency hybrid dsRNA isolation. Secondly, we will design new biomass-based formulations using nanopolyplexes as carriers to efficiently protect and deliver the dsRNA. Thus, we will develop advanced biocontrol strategies for dual protection against both the insect vector and its host virus in tomato. Through the integration of polymer science, nanotechnology, and biotechnology approaches, our efforts aim to advance dsRNA-based biopesticide technology and facilitate its lab-to-field transition.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture agronomy plant protection
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture sustainable agriculture
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
48940 Leioa
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.