Vancouver-based Renaissance BioScience Corp. announced a new project funded by Genome BC to adapt its yeast-based RNA interference (RNAi) biopesticide technology for soil-dwelling crop pests, starting with destructive wireworms. This marks a significant expansion of the company's precision biopesticide platform, which has previously focused on above-ground insect pests.
Wireworms, the soil-dwelling larvae of click beetles, are among agriculture's most persistent and destructive pests, damaging crops such as potatoes, root vegetables, corn, and cereals worldwide. They live underground for up to five years, feeding on germinating seeds, seedlings, roots, and tubers, making them difficult to detect and control with conventional methods.
The project aims to develop a precision RNAi biopesticide targeting Agriotes species of wireworms, which cause substantial crop losses in Europe, North America, and other key agricultural markets. By identifying genes essential for survival that are conserved across two Agriotes species, Renaissance intends to create a targeted solution capable of controlling multiple species with a single product.
"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," said Dr. John Husnik, co-CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Renaissance BioScience. He added that beyond solving the wireworm problem, the project is strategically important for determining how the yeast-based RNAi platform can be successfully extended to soil-dwelling pests.
The yeast-based delivery platform is designed to protect RNAi molecules in the challenging soil environment while promoting ingestion by wireworms, overcoming key barriers to effective soil-applied RNAi biopesticides. If successful, this could significantly expand the number of insect targets and crop protection applications that RNAi biopesticides can address.
"This support from Genome BC recognizes the tremendous potential of precision biological technologies to transform sustainable agriculture," Dr. Husnik noted. "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."
The wireworm program builds on Renaissance's growing portfolio of RNAi-based crop protection technologies. Because the underlying RNAi yeast platform has already demonstrated promise against above-ground pests, the company believes this project could establish the foundation for future RNAi products targeting a broad range of economically important soil-dwelling insects and larvae. Successfully extending the technology below ground would represent a significant platform advance, opening new opportunities across multiple crops and agricultural markets while supporting the growing demand for environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides.
Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization that has advanced genomics research and innovation for 25 years, attracting over $1.1 billion in direct co-investment to British Columbia. This funding supports projects that enhance healthcare and address environmental challenges.
Renaissance BioScience Corp. is a global leader in yeast bioengineering, developing innovative microorganisms for agriculture, food, nutrition, and health industries. For more information about the company, visit www.renaissancebioscience.com.
