Our research article was published in Advanced Functional Materials, a top-tier scientific journal.
The article emphasizes RNAway’s platform ability to eliminate viral disease in grapevines. Specifically, platform’s characteristics, capabilities and biological contribution to a real-life problem are broadly described in the article.
Foliar Delivery of siRNA Particles for Treating Viral Infections in Agricultural Grapevines
Abstract: Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) is a globally spreading viral infection that causes major economic losses by reducing crop yield, plant longevity, and berry quality, with no effective treatment. Grapevine leafroll associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3) is the most severe, prevalent GLD strain affecting wine production.
In this paper, the ability of RNA interference (RNAi), a non-GMO gene-silencing pathway, to treat GLRaV-3 in infected Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines is evaluated. Lipid-modified polyethylenimine (lmPEI) is synthesized as the carrier for long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA, 250-bp-long) that targets RNA polymerase and coat protein is a gene target that are conserved in the GLRaV-3 genome.
Self-assembled dsRNA–lmPEI particles, 220 nm in diameter, display inner ordered domains spaced 7.3 ± 2 nm from one another, correlating to lmPEI wrapping spirally around the dsRNA. The particles effectively protect RNA from degradation by ribonucleases and show to increase uptake rate into plant cells as a result of the lipid component comprising the RNA carrier.
In three field experiments, a single dose of foliar sprayed treatment of the RNA-particles knocks down GLRaV-3 titer, and multiple doses of the treatment keep the viral titer at baseline and trigger recovery of the vine and berries. This study demonstrates RNAi as a promising platform for treating viral diseases in agriculture.
Advanced Functional Materials, part of the prestigious Advanced portfolio and a top-tier materials science journal, publishes outstanding research related to improving chemical and physical properties of materials.
Advanced Functional Materials covers a broad scope and provides breakthrough research on all aspects of materials science, making it a respected, high-impact journal that disseminates the best science from well-established and emerging researchers so they can fulfill their mission and maximize the reach of their scientific discoveries.
Visit the online research article here.
