Practical application of gene silencing: is delivery of long double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) by plant cells efficient in conferring host resistance to parasitic nematodes?

侵袭植物的线虫在全球造成1200亿美元的作物损失。由于环境问题，用于控制它们的化学品正在逐步淘汰，而且自然抗性有限。该项目的目的是利用澳大利亚的知识产权，根据宿主-病原体相互作用的知识，开发一种新的抵抗线虫的形式。一个成功的结果可以通过作物对线虫害虫的固有抗性，使作物产量额外增加5-20%（取决于作物）。这将有利于农村社区和国民经济，也可能产生国际特许权使用费。

Nematode that attack plants cause $120 billion of crop losses worldwide. Chemicals used for their control are being phased out because of environmental concerns, and natural resistance is limited. The aim of this project is to use Australian IP to develop a new form of resistance to nematodes based on knowledge of the host-pathogen interactions. A successful outcome could contribute an additional 5-20% increase in crop yields (depending on the crop) through inherent resistance of crops to nematode pests. This would benefit rural communities and the national economy, and could also generate international royalties.