Compositions and methods for insect control
AssigneeIndiana University Research and Technology Corporation
InventorIrene Newton
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Abstract
Described herein are expression vectors encoding the Wolbachia protein WalE1. Also described are insects transformed with an expression vector of the present disclosure, and progeny thereof. Also described are methods for improving Wolbachia replication and transmission in its insect host by overexpressing WalE1 in the insect host. Improved Wolbachia replication and transmission provides for insect population control and pathogen resistance in insects, which can reduce disease transmission.
Claims27
An expression vector comprising a polynucleotide that encodes WalE1 (WD0830) or a functional fragment of WalE1 (WD0830), wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to an expression control sequence and the expression vector is expressible in an insect.
A method for increasing Wolbachia replication and transmission in an insect population, the method comprising overexpressing WalE1 (WD0830) or a functional fragment of WalE1 (WD0830) in at least one insect capable of breeding with the insect population, and introducing the at least one insect overexpressing WalE1 (WD0830) or a functional fragment of WalE1 (WD0830), or progeny thereof, into the insect population, wherein overexpression is relative to a control insect.
A CRISPR-on system comprising dCas9 fused with a transcriptional activation domain, and a single guide RNA (sgRNA) having a complementary nucleic acid sequence to a WalE1 (WD0830) expression control element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.