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Protein engineering to produce an improved biopesticide for protection of field crops and stored foods
Reference
D06394
Principal Investigator / Supervisor
Professor David Ellar
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution
University of Cambridge
Department
Biochemistry
Funding type
Research
Value (£)
399,307
Status
Completed
Type
Research Grant
Start date
16/04/1996
End date
20/01/2000
Duration
46 months
Abstract
A major resource in the drive to reduce chemical pesticide usage and to generate pest- resistant transgenic plants are the insecticidal proteins (delta-endotoxins) produced by Bacillus thuringiensis. Development of this resource by industry and plant breeders requires an understanding at the molecular level of factors determining the potency of these protein pesticides. We have solved the X-ray structures of representatives of the two (Cry and cyt) toxin families. This structural database, plus our experience of toxin mutagenesis, and our traditional and novel assays for quantifying toxin potency provides a unique opportunity to propose a comprehensive programme to discover the contribution of potency of each step in the insecticidal mechanism and thereby to design protocols to engineer these proteins for enhanced potency for transgenic plant expression and field application.
Summary
unavailable
Committee
Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics
X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority
X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative
X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme
X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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