Crispr-based genetic pest control for maize protection

Overview

This research program develops a novel genetic pest management strategy targeting Peregrinus maidis, a hemipteran insect pest that causes significant economic damage to maize through feeding and transmission of maize mosaic virus. The approach leverages CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to create programmable insect strains suitable for population control and pathogen vector suppression. The technology addresses the urgent need for novel control strategies as herbivorous insects continue to cause enormous crop losses globally. The Hawaii maize production environment provides an advantageous testing ground for validating this system.

Technical specifications

Core technology:

• Cas9 transgene expression in P. maidis driven by a native promoter, enabling programmable gene editing
• Target-specific guide RNAs (gRNAs) designed to disrupt genes essential for pest survival, reproduction, or vector capacity
• Precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) adapted for hemipteran pest control

Validated capabilities:

• Established protocol for collecting and microinjecting precellular P. maidis embryos
• Successfully generated mutant and transgenic strains, including a Cas9-expressing line
• Confirmed CRISPR-induced mutagenesis through eye-color gene targeting and Sanger sequencing verification
• Reference-quality genome assembly in progress using Hi-C chromatin conformation data

Potential applications:

• Male-only offspring production by targeting female development genes
• Population suppression through sterility induction
• Reduction of maize mosaic virus spread by disrupting vector capacity
• Adaptable platform for controlling other maize pests

Technology readiness level

The technology is at an early-to-mid development stage (TRL 3-4). Proof-of-principle experiments have demonstrated successful Cas9 expression and CRISPR-mediated gene editing in P. maidis. Next-phase validation will involve mining the genome for suitable gene targets, developing gRNA-expressing strains, and conducting crosses with Cas9-expressing strains to confirm gene-edited offspring production. The project aims to establish feasibility and effectiveness of genetic control strategies, with outcomes expected to provide scalable pest management solutions applicable beyond maize to other crop systems.