Renaissance BioScience is working on a project to extend the reach of its yeast-based bio-pesticide technology from above-ground insect pests to target soil-dwelling crop pests.
The initial target of its RNA interference bio-tech weapon? Destructive wireworms.
Founded in Vancouver in 2013, Renaissance is a yeast bioengineering company developing functional, market-ready microorganisms that provide cost-effective solutions to address environmental and industrial challenges across agriculture, nutrition, and health.
The project, funded by Genome BC, will advance the development of a precision bio-pesticide, which represents a significant new application for the company’s proprietary technology, according to a statement.
Considered to be among agriculture’s most persistent and destructive insect pests, wireworms are the soil-dwelling larvae of click beetles, capable of severely damaging crops of potatoes, root vegetables, corn, and cereals—all while remaining underground and difficult to detect.
Renaissance has successfully focused its RNAi technology on insect pests that feed on plant foliage; now, the B.C. innovator wants to adapt its technology to pests that live and feed below the soil surface.
It is a fundamentally different technical challenge, according to cofounder Dr. John Husnik, who functions as Chief Scientific Officer of Renaissance.
“Wireworms are one of agriculture’s most challenging insect pests because they spend up to five years as larvae below ground, where conventional control options are limited,” explains Husnik.
But, if successful, Renaissance could greatly expand the number of insect targets and crop protection applications that RNAi bio-pesticides can address.
“Beyond developing a solution for wireworms, this project is strategically important because it will help determine how our yeast-based RNAi platform can be successfully extended from leaf-feeding insects to also target soil-dwelling pests,” Husnik says.
While an obvious first target, “Wireworms are just the beginning,” according to Husnik.
“If we can successfully adapt our technology for below-ground pests, it opens the door to developing precision bio-pesticides for an entirely new range of economically costly agricultural pests,” he posits.
“Our goal is to provide growers with a new tool for managing wireworms while expanding the capabilities of our yeast platform to address an entirely new category of agricultural pests,” Husnik stated.
Genome BC has contributed to funding more than 600 research and innovation projects over the past 25 years.
“This support from Genome BC recognizes the tremendous potential of precision biological technologies to transform sustainable agriculture,” Husnik remarked. “We appreciate their support and vision.”
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