Transgenic for hunting the hunter

2009/10/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Bioteknologia
• Ekologia

Scientists from Europe and the United States, led by Theodoor Turlings, have created transgenic maize capable of combating an insect that causes large pests in the artasoros, the coleopterus Diabrotica virgifera. Specifically, several maize plants have introduced a gene to synthesize a compound that attracts nematodes that are predators of this insect.

Since oregano (E)-?-kariofilene the necessary gene has been taken to form the compound and has been introduced into selected corn plants for commercial sale. In fact, this compound is a natural defense system capable of producing various varieties of corn, but most commercially sold varieties have lost their capacity due to crosses made to create them.

Researchers have reported that the produced transgenic maize produces continuously (E)-?-kariofilene, because the gene is active at all times. The next step is to create a compound and attract nematodes only when in danger. However, they point out that the solution is better than insecticide spraying.