Summary:
In December 2024, the field application of RNA insecticides was selected by the American journal Science as one of its Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs of the Year. RNA insecticides, known for their high target specificity and environmentally friendly, pollution-free properties, have been hailed as the “third revolution” in pesticide development.
The Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences is one of the original pioneers in RNA-based pesticides. In 2007, Professor Xiaoya Chen’s team discovered that plant-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) could suppress gene expression in insects. In 2011, Professor Xuexia Miao’s team further demonstrated that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) could penetrate the insect cuticle and inhibit target gene expression.
On December 13, 2024, the American journal Science announced its list of the Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs of the Year, with the field application of RNA insecticides earning a place on the list.
RNA insecticides are a new class of biopesticides developed based on the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi). They are widely recognized for their high target specificity, short development cycles, environmental friendliness, and zero residue, and have been hailed as the “third revolution” in pesticide history.
According to Science, U.S.-based GreenLight Biosciences developed Calantha, the world’s first sprayable RNA pesticide. On December 22, 2023, the product received registration approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and was authorized for field application in 13 states across the U.S. Calantha’s approval marked a major milestone, transitioning RNAi technology from laboratory research to real-world agricultural practice.
Science clearly noted that the origins of RNA-based pesticide technology can be traced back to a 2007 scientific breakthrough. The Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is one of the pioneering institutions in this field.
In 2007, a research team led by Professor Xiaoya Chen, an academician of CAS and a principal investigator at the Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (the predecessor to CEMPS), discovered that plant-mediated RNA interference could effectively and specifically suppress gene expression in insects, thereby inhibiting pest growth. The findings were published as a cover article in Nature Biotechnology, and the journal highlighted it as a landmark study.
Nature described the paper as “the first successful report of using plant-expressed double-stranded RNA targeting insect genes to silence herbivore defenses,” and emphasized that “plants improved by this technology better meet societal needs than conventional insecticides, which indiscriminately kill all insects.” This breakthrough is widely regarded as the first milestone in applying RNAi technology to the development of RNA-based insecticides.
In 2011, a research group led by Professor Xuexia Miao at CEMPS discovered that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) could directly penetrate the insect cuticle and enter the body to inhibit target gene expression, proposing a novel pest control approach based on foliar application of dsRNA formulations. In 2015, her team further demonstrated that dsRNA could also be absorbed through plant roots, successfully inducing RNAi effects in piercing-sucking pests. This provided a foundation for the development of soil-applied RNA biopesticide formulations.
Today, with the support of its spin-off enterprises, CEMPS has successfully established a complete industrial pipeline for RNA pesticide development. This includes a ton-scale production line for RNA active ingredients, with per-acre production costs now roughly comparable to that of chemical pesticides. The center has also developed a stabilization and efficacy enhancement system that significantly improves RNA persistence under field conditions. Additionally, it has built an AI-powered high-throughput screening platform for target gene identification and established a comprehensive RNAi target gene library for agricultural pests.
RNA formulations targeting pests such as cotton aphids, peach aphids, and striped flea beetles have demonstrated excellent performance in field trials, and regulatory registration for commercialization is actively underway.
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