Innovations in nano-delivery of interfering RNA to enhance RNAi efficiency in insects

As a Nobel Prize–winning discovery, RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising and innovative strategy for insect pest management. Despite its potential, the development of RNAi-based approaches for controlling insect pests has significantly lagged behind their therapeutic applications in human medicine. One of the primary obstacles to broader implementation in entomology is the lack of reliable and efficient double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery technologies. Over the past 15 years, substantial efforts have been made to improve RNAi efficacy in insects by exploring and optimizing various dsRNA delivery methods. This presentation will highlight the progress made in my laboratory, as well as through collaborations with other research groups, in developing and refining strategies for delivering dsRNA and other interfering RNAs. These approaches aim to enhance RNAi efficiency across different insect species by protecting interfering RNA from degradation by dsRNA-degrading nucleases (dsRNases) and promoting their uptake into target cells. Collectively, these advancements contribute to significantly improving RNAi efficiency in insects.