Inhibitors of Systemic Virus Spread in Plants

The Invention Plant viruses and viroids exploit plasmodesmata nano-channels as conduits for viral spread. Plasmodesmal proteins, endogenous to plants, have been modified such that they permanently block plasmodesmata nano-channels. This blockage inhibits plant virus spread: a major cause of reduced crop yields Potential Applications Wide-spread protection against viral spread in plants Advantages Enhances general plant resistance to viral spread Unique mechanism, currently not exploited in agriculture
Stage The first generation barrier has been demonstrated to be effective in tobacco against Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). The second generation nano-barriers will be tested for their effect in tomato, potato and tobacco, challenged with Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), Potato Virus X (PVX) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus TYLCV

Inventor(s): Professor Bernard Epel

Type of Offer: Licensing



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