Rnai-guided target discovery for hemipteran pest control in maize

Overview

This research program focuses on discovering and validating gene targets in Peregrinus maidis, a destructive sap-feeding pest of maize that causes significant yield losses through direct feeding and virus transmission. By combining a high-quality reference genome with life-stage and sex-specific transcriptome assemblies, the program systematically mines for genes whose disruption produces useful phenotypes for downstream pest control. Early results have already identified a sex-determination gene whose knockdown converts females to pseudomales and reduces offspring, demonstrating strong potential for genetic pest management. The work supports both RNAi-based control methods and CRISPR-based approaches such as precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT), which can kill female offspring, sterilize males, or convert females to males while sterilizing all offspring.

Technical specifications

Key capabilities and features:

• PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing combined with Phase Genomics scaffolding to produce a reference-quality genome assembly for P. maidis
• Combined transcriptome assembly spanning four life-stage-specific and four sex-specific libraries for gene discovery
• Routine RNAi workflow for functional validation of candidate genes in a hemipteran species
• First-ever piggyBac-mediated transgenic P. maidis line, enabling downstream transgenic and CRISPR-based applications
• Target gene categories include sex-determination genes, haploinsufficient genes, genes involved in virus uptake, and validated RNAi targets such as snf7
• RNAi phenotypes used to predict the best targets for CRISPR-based control methods, including pgSIT for sex conversion and population suppression

Technology readiness level

The platform is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Genome sequencing and transcriptome assembly are complete or in progress, and initial RNAi validation has already been performed on two sex-determination candidates with one showing a promising phenotype. The next phase involves expanded target mining across multiple gene categories and further RNAi testing to predict optimal CRISPR targets and evaluate the feasibility of RNAi-based control. Integration with existing transgenic P. maidis capability positions the work for progression toward prototype genetic pest management tools.