Renaissance BioScience Corp., a leader in yeast bioengineering, announced a new project funded by Genome BC to adapt its RNA interference (RNAi) biopesticide platform for controlling soil-dwelling crop pests, starting with destructive wireworms. This initiative marks a significant expansion of the company’s technology from above-ground insect pests to below-ground applications.
Wireworms, the larvae of click beetles, are among agriculture’s most persistent pests, damaging crops such as potatoes, root vegetables, corn, and cereals. They can live underground for up to five years, feeding on seeds and roots, making them difficult to detect and control. Current chemical options are limited, driving the need for sustainable alternatives.
The project will develop a precision RNAi biopesticide targeting Agriotes species of wireworms, which cause substantial losses in Europe, North America, and other key markets. By identifying essential survival genes conserved across two Agriotes species, Renaissance aims to create a product that controls multiple species with a single application.
Renaissance’s yeast-based RNAi technology protects and delivers double-stranded RNA, which triggers gene silencing in target pests. The challenge lies in adapting this delivery system for the soil environment, where RNA can degrade quickly. The company plans to combine its yeast platform with advanced formulation technologies to protect RNA in soil and promote ingestion by wireworms.
Dr. John Husnik, co-CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Renaissance BioScience, emphasized the strategic importance of the project: “Wireworms are one of agriculture’s most challenging insect pests because they spend up to five years as larvae below ground, where conventional control options are limited. Beyond developing a solution for wireworms, this project will help determine how our yeast-based RNAi platform can be successfully extended from leaf-feeding insects to also target soil-dwelling pests.”
If successful, the technology could open the door to developing precision biopesticides for a range of economically costly soil-dwelling pests, expanding Renaissance’s commercial applications. The company already has a growing portfolio of RNAi-based crop protection technologies for above-ground pests.
Genome BC, a not-for-profit organization that has invested over $1.1 billion in genomics research, supports this project as part of its mission to advance sustainable agriculture. “This support from Genome BC recognizes the tremendous potential of precision biological technologies to transform sustainable agriculture,” Dr. Husnik added.
The wireworm project represents a critical step toward providing growers with new tools for managing soil pests while reducing reliance on conventional chemical pesticides. For more information, visit Renaissance BioScience or Genome BC.
