Compositions for Controlling Varroa Mites in Bees
AssigneesBeeologics Inc., Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
InventorsIlan Sela, Sharoni Shafir, Eyal Maori, Yael Garbian, Eyal Ben-Chanoch, Gal Yarden, Haim Kalev
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Abstract
An isolated nucleic acid agent is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence which downregulates expression of a gene product of a Varroa destructor mite. Compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.
Claims33
An isolated nucleic acid agent comprising a nucleic acid sequence which downregulates expression of a gene product of a Varroa destructor mite, wherein said gene product is an mRNA encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of ATPase subunit A, RNA polymerase I, RNA polymerase III, Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), FAS apoptotic inhibitor and α-Tubulin.
A method of preventing or treating a Varroa destructor mite infestation of a bee hive, the method comprising administering to the a bee of said hive an effective amount of at least one nucleic acid agent which comprises a nucleic acid sequence which downregulates expression of a gene product of a Varroa destructor mite, thereby preventing or treating a Varroa destructor mite infestation of said bee hive.
A method of reducing the susceptibility of honeybees to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), the method comprising administering to the honeybee an effective amount of at least one double-stranded ribonucleic nucleic acid (dsRNA), said at least one dsRNA comprising a sequence complementary to at least 21 nucleotides of Varroa destructor mite mRNA and capable of inducing degradation of said Varroa destructor-specific mRNA.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.