RNAi and the sterile insect technique

Darrington M, Dalmay T, Morrison NI, Chapman T. Implementing the sterile insect technique with RNA interference - a review. Entomol Exp Appl. 2017 Sep;164(3):155-175. PMID: 29200471; PMCID: PMC5697603.

From the abstract: "We review RNA interference (RNAi) of insect pests and its potential for implementing sterile insect technique (SIT)-related control. The molecular mechanisms that support RNAi in pest species are reviewed in detail, drawing on literature from a range of species including Drosophila melanogaster Meigen and Homo sapiens L. ... RNAi represents a plausible, non-GM system for targeting populations of insects for control purposes, if RNAi effector molecules can be delivered environmentally (eRNAi). We consider studies of eRNAi from across several insect orders and review to what extent taxonomy, genetics, and differing methods of double-stranded (ds) RNA synthesis and delivery can influence the efficiency of gene knockdown. ..."

Breaking Report--DRSC Screen Data Published

What's on my desk to read today?  

Sessions et al. (2009) Discovery of insect and human dengue virus host factors. Nature 458:1047-1050. And see Editor's Note in the same issue of the journal.

This screen was performed at the DRSC using our whole-genome dsRNA library.

In the paper, the authors report the results of the Drosophila screen. Plus follow-up in human cells--they used siRNAs to target homologs of the fly genes they identified--and in the dengue virus vector mosquito Ae. aegypti--which they inject with dsRNA. The authors report "notable conservation of required factors between dipteran [fly & mosquito] and human hosts."

Using RNAi in three species to get closer to combating an infectious disease endemic in three continents and for which there is currently no vaccine or cure? Pretty darned cool.