Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME

The core competencies of Fraunhofer IME are structured in two divisions, "Molecular Biotechnology" and "Applied Ecology", on four locations. In Aachen and Münster, we establish demand-optimized plants, animal cells and microorganisms for various industrial applications. At the institute branch "Bioresources" in Giessen, which belongs to the "Molecular Biotechnology" division, a worldwide unique center for the exploitation of bioresources is being established. The division "Applied Ecology" in Schmallenberg concerns iteself with risk evalutation of synthetic and biogenic substances for both environment and consumers. 

Climate change and intensive agriculture are promoting the spread of insect pests. At the same time, conventional insecticides are coming under pressure due to environmental and health risks and increasing resistance. With Calantha® (active ingredient: ledprona), GreenLight Biosciences has obtained approval in the USA in 2023 for the world's first RNAi spray. A recent study by GreenLight Biosciences, the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME (Bioresources Division) and Justus Liebig University Giessen explains the mechanism of action. The spray specifically switches off a vital gene in the Colorado potato beetle and also triggers a previously undescribed secondary effect, which leads to a lethal accumulation of proteins in the insect's body. The study demonstrates the specificity of the dsRNA and identifies the subsequent proteasome malfunction caused by the downregulation as the mechanism of action of ledprona.

Twenty-four doctoral students from the Aachen, Schmallenberg, and Giessen locations came together for the Fraunhofer IME PhD seminar and presented their innovative research work. The two-day event provided time for networking and stimulating exchange.

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB, Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is a devastating super-pest of potato crops in the northern hemisphere. Chemical control methods are expensive, harmful to non-target species, and inefficient because CPB populations can rapidly evolve resistance to multiple classes of insecticides. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) provides an opportunity for the sustainable and targeted control of CPB by RNA interference (RNAi). A dsRNA active ingredient (ledprona, marketed as Calantha®) targeting proteasome subunit β5 (PSMB5) achieves the efficient suppression of PSMB5 gene expression and protein synthesis, causing CPB mortality and protecting crop plants in the laboratory and field. To understand the mode of action of ledprona in more detail, expression levels of other proteasome subunit genes and proteins and correspondingly the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins were measured in ledprona-treated CPB larvae. This study confirms the strong downregulation of PSMB5 mRNA and PSMB5 protein, as well as the systemic upregulation of other proteasome transcripts and the accumulation of cell waste in the form of ubiquitin-labeled degrons that correlate with larval mortality. This comprehensive characterization of ledprona’s mode of action expands our previous knowledge of the only sprayable dsRNA pesticide with regulatory registration in the United States and may facilitate future efforts to control CPB.

In addition to pathogens, the reed leafhopper hosts symbiotic bacteria that could play a role in adapting to new host plants

In this year's edition of the “Applied Ecology” newsletter, we would like to present our research work on the topic of “soil.”

• Recording the contamination of agricultural land with biocides, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides in Germany
• MetaInvert: Developing Standards for Genetic Methods to include Soil Invertebrates in Monitoring Programs
• BioDive4Soil - How much life is in our soils?
• Portrait: Dr. Sebastian Kühr, head of our junior research group “B-Pol - Bioaccumulation of Polymer Products ”

The EUROPE HORIZON project “BORN - BiObased theRmal-resistaNt food packaging,” involving Fraunhofer IME and Fraunhofer ITEM, has been successfully launched in Pozzuoli, Italy.
Over the next three years, this project will investigate the improved biodegradability and low ecotoxicity of novel sustainable materials.

In the third round of the “GreenEconomy.IN.NRW” innovation competition, the review committee gave the thumbs up to the project "SEASON – Slow Release of Biostimulants from Seed Coatings." Today, the kick-off meeting for the three-year joint project took place at Fraunhofer IME. The project partners are Deutsche Saatveredelung AG and Humintech GmbH. Fraunhofer IME is responsible for coordination.

SEASON is developing novel technology for the targeted, time-delayed release of biostimulants through winter rapeseed seed coating. Winter rapeseed is the most important oilseed crop in North Rhine-Westphalia and Germany.