Delivery of Small RNAs

Lifeasible facilitates the application of RNA interference in plant protection and helps develop small RNA (sRNA) delivery solutions to enhance the effectiveness of RNA interference.

Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) has a broader application prospect than host‑induced gene silencing (HIGS) in plant protection. It has a higher safety profile without altering the genes of the organism. SIGS depends on the stability of extracellular RNA and the efficiency of RNA uptake, which can be improved by delivery technology and RNA modification. Here, we discuss the effect of delivery strategies on SIGS. RNA encapsulation is the primary delivery method (Fig. 1), and different application modalities (e.g., leaves spray, petiole adsorption, root or seed soaking, infiltration, trunk injections, and mechanical inoculation) have an impact on delivery efficiency. We help explore the effects of different delivery strategies on the protective effects of SIGS and provide RNA delivery recommendations.

Fig. 1 Primary encapsulation system for RNA interference delivery (Hernández-Soto and Chacón-Cerdas, 2021).

Our Services

The sRNAs used for SIGS may be in the form of dsRNA, shRNA, and siRNA, and we help develop delivery strategies for these RNAs.

Delivery of sRNAs into plants

We focus on developing delivery strategies to deliver sRNAs into plants. Delivery of sRNAs into plants results in slower degradation of sRNAs. Secondary amplification of sRNA limits the application of SIGS. Using plant secondary amplification machinery can allow continuous production of sRNAs to achieve longer-term protection against pathogenic microorganisms, pests, and viruses. We help to explore the effects of different RNA encapsulation methods and spraying methods on the delivery of sRNAs into plants.

Delivery of sRNAs into fungi

We offer to develop general sRNA delivery methods to enhance the uptake of sRNAs by fungi. Plant-based extracellular vesicles are essential for sRNA trafficking and host-pathogen communication. We provide delivery methods that mimic the extracellular vesicles of plants. In addition, different fungi have different uptake efficiency for RNAs. We offer to develop targeted sRNA delivery based on the characteristics of fungi.

Delivery of sRNAs into pests

Pests mostly take up sRNAs through the intestine. However, the degradation of sRNA by exogenous nucleases significantly affects the plant protection effect of RNA interference. We offer to develop delivery sRNA strategies to reduce RNA degradation by nucleases. Additionally, increasing the contact chance between sRNAs and pests also contributes to the effectiveness of sRNAs. We provide to develop delivery methods that increase the contact probability between sRNAs and pests.

Our Approaches

Material encapsulation-assisted delivery

We offer encapsulation of sRNAs using various materials to enhance the uptake of sRNAs while reducing the degradation of sRNAs by nucleases. The encapsulation materials we use include liposomes, virus-like particles, nanomaterials, and bio-clay.

We help with affinity modification of encapsulation materials to adapt to different organisms. And we have extensive experience in developing the use of nanomaterials for the delivery of sRNAs into plants.

Long-term delivery of sRNAs using bacteria or yeast

We offer to use the long-term sRNAs delivery capacity of organisms (such as bacteria and yeast) to protect plants. For example, we offer gene editing to enable pest-pathogenic bacteria to produce pest-specific sRNAs for pest defense. This not only enhances the efficiency of RNA interference but also achieves a dual pest-control effect.

Exploration of multiple application modalities

We offer services to explore the RNA interference effects of naked sRNAs, encapsulated sRNAs, and biologically expressed sRNAs in various application modalities, including high-pressure leaves spray, low-pressure leaves spray, petiole adsorption, seed soaking, mechanical inoculation, and other possible forms of application.

For spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), successful delivery of sRNAs to the target organism is critical. Lifeasible is committed to accelerating the application of SIGS in plant protection and helps develop delivery strategies that enhance the effects of SIGS by improving RNA stability and RNA uptake efficiency. Please contact us for customized sRNA delivery services.