GreenLight Biosciences and Queensland University of Technology partner to tackle destructive fall armyworm using RNA

Rhea-AI Summary

GreenLight Biosciences has partnered with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to develop an environmentally-friendly solution for the fall armyworm, a major agricultural pest responsible for over US$2 billion in annual global crop losses. Supported by a AUD$400,000 grant from the Australian government, the collaboration aims to harness RNA-based technologies to combat the pest. The project will commence with laboratory studies and progress to greenhouse and field trials, enhancing Australia's agricultural capacity and addressing global food production challenges.

Positive

• Partnership with QUT to develop solutions for fall armyworm, aiding agricultural resilience.
• AUD$400,000 grant from the Australian government indicating strong institutional support.
• Focus on environmentally-friendly RNA-based solutions with low or no residues.

Negative

• None.

• GreenLight Biosciences and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) partner to create a solution for fall armyworm
  
  
• Fall armyworm is one of the most destructive insect pests on the planet, causing more than US$2 billion in annual crop loss worldwide
  
  
• The Australian government has been searching for a more environmentally-friendly solution to fall armyworm and is supporting the partnership with a AUD$400,000 grant

BOSTON and BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Researchers from Boston’s GreenLight Biosciences and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, Australia, have announced an agreement to develop a solution to fall armyworm, which causes more than US$2 billion in annual global crop loss.

The partnership includes an Australian government grant to QUT of more than AUD$400,000 from the Australian Research Council. It brings together the teams of two preeminent researchers, Dr. Julia Bally and Professor Peter Waterhouse from the QUT Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, and GreenLight’s Plant Health research and development team.

The partnership aims to develop a solution for fall armyworm, a pest of national priority in Australia. It is also a point of emphasis that the project delivers environmentally-friendly crop protection tools against fall armyworm.

GreenLight’s plant health division is working on producing RNA-based solutions for a variety of fungi and insects that cause massive food loss and crop damage annually. In lab tests and field trials, GreenLight’s RNA-based solutions leave low or no residues.

Dr. Bally said previous collaboration on fall armyworm with GreenLight had been important to securing the grant from the Australian Research Council this year.

"We are excited to work with GreenLight Biosciences on this solution to armyworm," she said. "We believe furthering our partnership will generate comprehensive new technologies to fight against one of the most damaging global crop pests and greatly improve Australian agritech capacity and strengthen international collaborations.”

GreenLight’s Vice President of Plant Health R&D Ron Flannagan said: “Fall armyworm has recently invaded Australia and devastates many crops, including sorghum and cotton. Our RNA platform allows us to develop solutions faster and more efficiently than was previously possible. So we are delighted to partner with QUT to accelerate our work targeting the fall armyworm with a sustainable solution.”

The project will begin with lab studies and advance to greenhouse and field trials.

“We believe this research will provide significant benefits, such as added security for Australia’s most important agricultural crops and regions and global food production," Dr. Bally said.

About GreenLight Biosciences

GreenLight Biosciences aims to address some of the world’s biggest problems by delivering on the full potential of RNA for human health and agriculture. Our RNA platform allows us to research, design, and manufacture for human, animal, and plant health. In human health, this includes messenger RNA vaccines and therapeutics. In agriculture, this includes RNA to protect honeybees and a range of crops. The company’s platform is protected by numerous patents. GreenLight’s human health product candidates are in the pre-clinical stage, and its product candidates for the agriculture market are in the early stages of development or regulatory review. GreenLight is a public benefit corporation that trades under the ticker GRNA on Nasdaq. For more information, visit https://www.greenlightbiosciences.com/

Press contact:

David Pesci
Head of Media Relations
dpesci@greenlightbio.com

For press, email: press@greenlightbio.com

For investors, email: investors@greenlightbio.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90b3b271-5f43-4894-8e95-f6a9ec97b1ea

FAQ

What is the partnership between GreenLight Biosciences and QUT about?

The partnership aims to develop environmentally-friendly solutions to combat the fall armyworm, a significant agricultural pest.

How much funding has GreenLight received for this project?

GreenLight Biosciences has received a grant of AUD$400,000 from the Australian government for the project.

What impact does the fall armyworm have on global agriculture?

The fall armyworm causes more than US$2 billion in annual crop losses worldwide.

What types of studies will be conducted for the fall armyworm project?

The project will start with laboratory studies and advance to greenhouse and field trials.

What technology is GreenLight using to address fall armyworm issues?

GreenLight is utilizing RNA-based technologies to develop solutions against fall armyworm.