Project Description

The idea of our project emerges from a great problem that endangers Mexican citrus fields. After doing a thorough research we found that HLB, a disease caused by the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus transmitted by a small but not innocent insect called Diaphorina Citri causes substantial damage to all species of citrus. This is a current and unsolved problem that not only affects Mexico but the United States and several other citrus producing countries. The team saw an opportunity to develop a solution of international reach. With the intention of being innovative, the team considered many approaches including a biological insecticide, modifying the psyllid to prevent growth and spread of the disease, modifying the affected plants to reduce the proliferation of the bacteria, and creating a culture medium to study the bacteria.

After weeks of investigation and feedback from instructors, the team decided to focus on the psyllid approach. Our project consists in the creation and evaluation of a novel HLB prevention method for citrus plantations. This method involves the application of RNAi technology in order to silence multiple genes from Diaphorina citri which control wing development, metabolism and its immune system, effectively killing the psyllid or preventing it from acquiring Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, thus preventing the spread of the bacteria to healthy plants and further stopping HLB spread. If our project is successfully developed we will be not only bring a better life quality to farmers families but we will ensure citrus health at a worldwide spectrum.