A team of researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia published a study in Nature Plants last month that outlines what could be a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, non-GM method of protecting plants from viruses. The scientists used a gene-silencing spray consisting of virus-specific RNA and clay nanoparticles to protect tobacco plants from a virus. The plants’ virus-resistance lasted for 20 days after just one application. They call it “BioClay.”
Stepping in for host Kevin Folta, plant pathologist Paul Vincelli speaks with the lead author of the study, agricultural biotechnologist Neena Mitter, in this week’s Talking Biotech podcast.
Dr. Mitter’s website is here: https://qaafi.uq.edu.au/profile/279/neena-mitter
Follow Dr. Paul Vincelli @pvincell
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