Huanglongbing (HLB) is an infection of the bacterium Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that compromises the immune system of host citrus plants. It is introduced to the citrus plant when the asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, feeds on the plant’s sap. CLas migrates from the insect gut into the phloem through the psyllid’s saliva. Currently, farmers try to control the psyllids with pesticides. Pesticides and antibiotics have disastrous long term effects in the form of ecological destruction and creation of antibiotic resistant soil bacteria. We were impressed with the work of the TecCEM 2017 iGEM team, and decided to use a modification of their system to silence critical psyllid development genes using siRNA. We targeted chitin synthasae and superoxide dismutase, and we wanted to explore the use of whole bacteria instead of purified siRNA to treat plants. We envision delivery via a trap that contains an attractant and also the RNase minus E.coli/siRNA-producing cassette. We hope to slow down the spread of CLas through the reduction of psyllid populations.

References

Alan W. Hodges and Thomas H. Spreen. Economic Impacts of Citrus Greening (HLB) in Florida, 2006/07–2010/11. https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/greening/PDF/FE90300.pdf
Facts About Florida Oranges & Citrus. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/eat-drink/facts-about-florida-citrus-oranges.html

Team:Bio Without Borders/Description

Project Inspiration and Description

(Shhhhhh!) Silencing genes in Diaphorina citri to Combat Huanglongbing Disease in Citrus

References