Optimizing RNA interference for pest control

RNA interference (RNAi) is a post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanism, triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which holds great potential for pest control. But it still has several limitations remaining to be solved such as less sensitivity to dsRNA, efficacy of RNAi-induced mortality, species-specificity. In this project we will explore different strategies to improve the efficiency and specificity of dsRNA-induced mortality in insects.