Opportunity for

• Industry partners, plant breeder, life science companies interested in licensing novel method of broad-spectrum resistance to multiple viruses in plants to further develop and commercialise.

Opportunity description

Industry challenge:

Current methods to provide resistance to RNA viruses infecting wheat focus on targeting a plant gene to provide selective resistance against one specific virus. This method fails to provide the necessary long-term efficacy needed to control viral diseases that result in significant yield losses, often times as high as 20-25%. Researchers at Kansas State University and USDA-ARS have developed a new method for targeting a plant gene to provide broad-spectrum resistance to multiple viruses in wheat, and potentially other crops infected by RNA viruses.

This method is built on the premise that RNA viruses use host genes to complete their life cycles; therefore, when a virus enters a cell, the protein coat is removed and host proteins are then used to translate and replicate the viral RNA. With this in mind, our researchers have modified the plant so that it can limit the expression of two critical proteins used in this process.

Current opportunity:

By utilizing hairpin RNA structures derived from the two critical wheat proteins, researchers have been able to induce a plant RNA protection system inside the cell that targets the RNA of these two plant genes. By reducing the expression of the wheat proteins via utilization of the siRNA, replication of the virus is prevented and resistance is created. To date, K-State and USDA researchers have produced transgenic wheat lines for each construct that are in the 5th generation, and research shows resistance to Barley yellow dwarf virus, Wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus and Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus, with potential for other viruses.

Advantages include:

• Targets virus gene replication, ultimately affecting the lifecycle
• Broadens protection to multiple viruses, even those already with a host-virus system
• Possible applicability in all cereal crops, as well as in other plants both monocot and dicots.

This technology is patented under US Patent No. 9,909,139 and is available for license or option during the technology development period.

K-State is seeking industry partners to advance and commercialize this innovation.

Opportunity other applications:

• Wheat production and disease resistance development
• Private and public variety development
• Development of virus-resistant cereals and other crops.

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