Population Control of Invasive Plant Species by Gene Silencing and
Restoration of Native Plant Communities
WSU Tech#: 13-1173
Technology
Summary:
The invention utilizes a gene silencing processes to control the
spread of invasion plant species and to restore native plant communities.
Developed a gene-silencing vector that has been successfully applied to a number
of dicot plant species. This vector
acts to suppress the activity of specific genes by targeting the initial
products of the gene for degradation. As long as the exact gene sequence is
known, any gene may theoretically be chosen for treatment. The vector cannot spread either
systemically through the plant or be transferred incidentally to other
individuals and thus should be safe to apply in an open
area.
Competitive Advantages
Primary competition is from government agencies that
are trying to control invasive populations (National Forrest Service, DNR, NOAA,
etc.). Even though they are listed
as major competitors, they are also the likely end users of the
technology.
Benefit
Analysis:
Invasive plants can cause
wildfires to occur more often and burn more intensely. The US Forest Service
spends nearly 2.2 billion per year on wild fires. The economic cost of invasive plants is
estimated at more than $34 billion per year and the costs continue to grow. Currently the US Forrest Service, EPA
and other agencies grind up invasive plants and then use herbicide to kill
everything in the affected area.
This is a very labor intensive process and he mentioned if there was an
easier way to do the same job, the Forrest Service would definitely be
interested.
Stage of
Development:
Discovery
Patent
Status:
Through
the Office of Technology Commercialization at Wayne State University, we have
filed an extensive and detailed PCT patent application.
Licensing
Opportunity:
WSU is looking for commercial partners interested in
furthering the validation of this technology and bringing the technology to
market. The inventors would be open
to assist in the generation of SBIR/STTR grants to fund the further development
of this technology.
Contact
for Further Information:
Frank Urban, MS, CBA, BA. email: frank.urban@wayne.edu
Phone (mobile): (734)
355-0730