Cellular encapsulation of pesticides produced by expression of heterologous genes
AssigneeMycogen Corporation
InventorsAndrew C. Barnes, Susan G. Cummings
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and compositions are provided for preparing and using pesticides, where the pesticides are encapsulated in non-proliferating cells. The methods involve introducing a heterologous gene into a cellular host, where expression of the heterologous gene results, directly or indirectly, in production of the pesticide. These cells are then killed under conditions which prolong the pesticidal activity when said cells are applied to the environment of a target pest. The killed cells can be used directly or after formulation for treatment of an agricultural host or environment of the host with the pesticide.
Claims19
A pesticidal composition comprising pesticide-containing substantially intact microbial cells and an inert carrier wherein:
- (1) the microbial cells have been stabilized with a chemical reagent selected from the group consisting of halogenating agents, aldehydes, anti-infective, alcohols and histological fixatives under conditions such that the cells have prolonged pesticidal activity when applied to the environment of a target pest;
- and
- (2) the pesticide is a polypeptide, which remains intracellular after stabilisation, and is produced as a result of expression of a heterologous gene in the microbial cell, and which pesticide becomes accessible to a target pest upon ingestion of the cell by a pest.
A method of protecting a host susceptible to an invertebrate pest which comprises applying to the environment of the pest an effective amount of a pesticidal composition which comprises pesticide-containing substantially intact microbial cells wherein:
- (1) the microbial cells have been stabilized with a chemical reagent selected from the group consisting of halogenating agents, aldehydes, anti-infectives, alcohols and histological fixatives under conditions such that the cells have prolonged pesticidal activity when applied to the environment of a target pest;
- and
- (2) the pesticide is a polypeptide, which remains intracellular after stabilisation, and is produced as a result of expression of a heterologous gene in the microbial cell, and which pesticide becomes accessible to the target pest upon ingestion of the cell by a pest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.