Invention Summary

With annual production losses due to soybean cyst nematode alone soaring above $400
million in the U.S., new discoveries for plant protection is of most importance.
Past research, as covered in the recently awarded Patent #7,803,984, demonstrates
that producing small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules with homology to specific nematode
genes in plants can cause a reduction in nematodes and their progeny. (More information
can be found in the attached document.)Recently, further research has led to the discovery
of both a method to enhance non-endogenous siRNA molecules in plants, as well as the
identification of five target genes involved in the reproduction and fitness of a
nematode.

Our method over-expresses either in part or full target sequences to include at least
the fragment used for the RNAi hairpin together with the RNAi hairpin in the same
vector. This up-regulation in both the concentration and number of individual molecule
species of siRNA increases absorption of pathogenic fungus giving rise to increased
plant protection. Our method also consists of enhancement through multiple targets
in one construct or in a chimerical construct providing greater potential effect on
the parasite or pathogen control.

Applications

The initial target is soybean cyst nematode; however, the technology could also be
applicable to the following: