United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

University of Florida Research Foundation Inc

Aum Lifetech, Inc.

Empresa Brasileira De Pesquisa Agropecuaria

Wayne B Hunter

Roberto M Pereira

David F Williams

Steven M Valles

David H Oi

Charles A Strong

Veenu Aishwarya

Phat M Dang

Ernest Hiebert

William M Wintermantel

Jane E Polston

Salvador P Lopez

Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski

Maria T Gonzalez

Ahmed M Abouzid

Navneet Kaur

Eduardo C Andrade

Herein is disclosed synthetic oligonucleotides comprising 2′F-ANA nucleosides that can be utilized to control plant-chewing and phloem-feeding insects, bacteria present in such insects, and bacteria present in plants. The novel approaches and materials provided herein allow for reduction of pesticide and antibiotic use without the need to create genetically modified plants.

Targeted control of pests and pathogens by plant delivery of 2′F-ANA-oligonucleotides

The present disclosure provides oligonucleotides and double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeting Hemipteran and Lepidopteran insect pests. Bantam-sequence targets are detailed and shown to be effective targets for RNAi induction utilizing multiple dsRNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, and modified dsRNAs (e.g., 2'-O-methylated and dsRNAs containing non-canonical nucleosides).

Antisense oligonucleotide and double stranded RNAS for control of hemipteran and lepidopteran pests

Herein is disclosed synthetic oligonucleotides comprising 2'F-ANA nucleosides that can be utilized to control plant-chewing and phloem-feeding insects, bacteria present in such insects, and bacteria present in plants. The novel approaches and materials provided herein allow for reduction of pesticide and antibiotic use without the need to create genetically modified plants.

Targeted control of pests and pathogens by plant delivery of 2'F-ANA-oligonucleotides

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods utilizing double strand ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) to control insects, including whiteflies. More particularly, the present invention relates to several specific synthetic dsRNAs that induce RNA interference (RNAi) in the target insects and methods of delivering the dsRNAs to them, such as allowing feeding on plants treated with, or transgenically expressing, the dsRNAs.

RNAi strategies for control of whitefly

The current disclosure provides for peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs) antisense oligonucleotides that target plant pathogens and insect pests by targeting the microbes within the insect pest. Methods of delivering PPMOs to bacteria in plants, in insect carriers, and to the insects via plant feeding are also provided.

Peptide phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers plant delivery to reduce pathogens and insect pests

dsRNA generated fromtrehalase gene is effective in reducing fitness and/or survival of. Thus genetically altered plants expressing the dsRNA and plants to which dsRNA solutions are applied increasemortality and reduceinfestation. With reducedpopulation, the spread of microorganisms for whichis a vector is reduced. Such microorganisms include, but are not limited to,species, including: CLas, CLam, and CLaf. Thus, applying of thetrehalase dsRNA to a plant reduces disease and/or microorganism transmission by killingthat feed on the treated plant.

Double stranded RNA compositions for reducing asian citrus psyllid infestation and methods of use

Uniqueviruses (SINV) have been identified and their genome sequenced. Oligonucleotide primers have been developed using the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the SINV. The viruses are used as a biocontrol agent for control of fire ants.

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The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for producing plants that are resistant to infection by geminiviruses and other related viruses. Methods of the invention comprise transforming a plant with a polynucleotide wherein when the polynucleotide is expressed in the plant, the transformed plant exhibits resistance to plant viral infections. Exemplified herein is the use of a polynucleotide encoding a Rep protein derived from tomato mottle geminivirus. The methods of the invention can be used to provide resistance to viral infection in plants such as tomato and tobacco. The present invention also concerns transformed and transgenic plants in plant tissue that express a polynucleotide encoding a plant virus Rep protein, or a fragment or variant thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Port St. Lucie, FL, United States of America

Wayne B Hunter