Smart Delivery: Virus-Like Particle–Based Delivery of Synthetic mRNA Encoding Bt Toxins in Plants and Insects
- Beschreibung
This project explores the use of virus-like particle (VLP)-based formulations to deliver synthetic mRNA encoding Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) crystal toxins into plants. This approach means that we can avoid the need for genetic modifications (GM) in the host plant, while still allowing us to use the benefits of such technologies through the transient expression of a protein - for instance, a pesticide.
The aim is to test whether the delivered mRNA can be translated into active toxin proteins inside potato and tobacco plants, which could then affect Colorado potato beetle and tobacco hornworm larvae feeding on them.
We have developed a fully functional synthetic mRNA (validated in vitro) and a formulation that protects mRNA from nuclease degradation. Students will work on growing and maintaining plants in the greenhouse, delivering the formulated RNA into plant leaves at specific growth stages (considering the insect life cycle), and feeding the treated leaves to target insects after defined incubation times. Subsequent analyses will include mRNA stability, expression, and bioactivity using molecular and biochemical techniques such as qRT-PCR, protein detection, and bioassays.
This project provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience in molecular biology, plant handling, and insect bioassay techniques, while contributing to the development of RNA-based pest management technologies.
- Beschreibung des interdisziplinären Teils des Projekts
- This project combines molecular biology, plant biotechnology, entomology, and nanobiotechnology. It integrates synthetic mRNA technology with plant–insect interaction research, bridging molecular innovation with sustainable agricultural applications.
- Projektzeitraum
- Wintersemester 2025/2026
- Bewerbungszeitraum
- 13. bis 27.10.2025
- Durchführung
- nach Absprache
- Details zu Projektzeitraum und Durchführung
The project can be conducted either as a block module or a semester-long project, depending on the student’s availability and interests.
- Studienfach
-
Agrarbiologie
Bioeconomy
Biologie
Biologie - Lehramt
Biotechnologiy
Crop Sciences
Environmental Protection and Agricultural Food Production
Food Biotechnology
Food Science and Engineering
Food Science and Technology
Food Systems
Lebensmittelwissenschaft und Biotechnologie
Medizinische Ernährungswissenschaft
Molekulare Ernährungswissenschaft
Sustainability & Change - Betreuende
- Venkata Partha Sarathi Amineni
- Institut
- Institut für Phytomedizin (360) (360)
- Sprache
- deutsch
- Teilnehmendenanzahl
- min. 1, max. 1
- Arbeitsaufwand
-
ca. 150 Stunden pro Teilnehmende:r
| 5
ECTS-Punkte
Arbeitsaufwand (Stunden und ggf. ECTS) sind ungefähre Angaben. Die tatsächlich vergebenen ECTS-Punkte ergeben sich aus der tatsächlich geleisteten Arbeit.
- Für dieses Projekt ist kein Motivationsschreiben des Studierenden erforderlich
- Projektart
- experimentell
- Lernziele
-
Die Teilnehmende lernen in diesem Projekt:
After completing the project, students will be able to:
- describe the principles of mRNA-based pest control and VLP-mediated delivery.
- apply RNA delivery and analysis techniques (qRT-PCR, protein detection, bioassays).
- analyze mRNA stability and translation in plant tissues.
- evaluate toxin expression and insect bioassay results.
- develop experimental approaches to optimize delivery and incubation conditions.
- Anmerkungen für Studierende
This project is ideal for Bachelor’s or Master’s students interested in molecular biology, plant biotechnology, or entomology. Basic lab or greenhouse experience is an advantage but not required, training will be provided. The project design can be adapted to the student’s background and time availability.
- Schlagworte
- synthetic mRNA, Bt toxins, virus-like particles, RNA delivery, Colorado potato beetle, tobacco hornworm, plant biotechnology, RNA stability, pest control, molecular Biology