Microbial swarmbot platform for cost-effective production and controlled release of biopesticides

Overview

This solution offers a microbial swarmbot technology platform that integrates engineered bacteria with smart biomaterials to enable cost-effective, in-the-field production and controlled release of biopesticides. The platform directly addresses two major barriers to biopesticide commercialization: high production costs and the difficulty of sustained delivery. By using a plug-and-play approach, the technology can be adapted to produce a wide range of target biomolecules, including RNAi pesticides for managing agricultural pests such as the Colorado potato beetle (CPB). The result is a scalable, field-deployable system that can reduce manufacturing complexity and improve the practical viability of biological pest control.

Technical specifications

The platform consists of two integrated components:

• Engineered bacterial strain: Modified Escherichia coli strains (including the E. coli HT115 strain for RNAi applications) are programmed to cycle through growth and lysis phases. During the growth phase, cells produce target biomolecules. When cell density reaches a threshold, an automatic lysis phase releases the accumulated molecules without requiring a dedicated secretion mechanism.
• Smart biomaterial encapsulation: The engineered bacteria are encapsulated in a biomaterial shell that shrinks during cell lysis, facilitating transport of released molecules into the surrounding environment while isolating the engineered bacteria and cell debris from the outside environment.

Laboratory demonstrations have shown continuous production and controlled release of 25 target biomolecules, including model proteins (elastin-like polypeptides, pigment proteins), therapeutic biologics (GLP-1, griffithsin, recombinant human growth hormone), and seven enzymes in the fatty acid synthesis metabolic pathway.

Technology readiness level

The core microbial swarmbot technology has been validated in laboratory settings for versatility and reliability across multiple biomolecule classes. A three-phase validation plan is underway using CPB RNAi as a model application: (I) incorporating a growth control circuit into the E. coli HT115 strain to demonstrate continuous production and sustainable release of RNAi pesticides; (II) laboratory-scale assays to evaluate crop protection against CPB larvae and adults, containment of engineered strains, and longevity of protection compared with conventional delivery methods; and (III) field testing to assess real-world effectiveness and longevity. The technology is currently at a laboratory-validated stage progressing toward small-scale and field validation.