The primary purpose of this agreement is to use engineered nanoliposomes as carriers of molecular therapeutics will significantly reduce the number of therapeutics distributed into the environment…

Baylor University was awarded a $235,354 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). The primary purpose of this agreement is to develop and evaluate engineered nanoliposomes as carriers of molecular therapeutics to significantly reduce the environmental impact of plant disease treatments while maximizing their efficacy. Key activities include examining the impact of nanoparticle treatments on the citrus greening disease and Asian citrus psyllid, assessing the effects on the microbiomes of citrus and the psyllids, and evaluating the delivery of liposomes by psyllids to treat plant pathogens. Anticipated deliverables include reports on the efficacy of three nanoparticle-based antimicrobial treatments, the consequences for microbial communities, and the effectiveness of psyllid-based delivery of therapeutics. The work focuses on the citrus industry but has broader implications for delivering beneficial molecules to crop plants.

The primary purpose of this agreement is to use engineered nanoliposomes as carriers of molecular therapeutics will significantly reduce the number of therapeutics distributed into the environment while maximizing the impact on plant health. Activities will include examination of the impact of nanoparticle treatment on clas in ACP and citrus, examination of the impact of nanoparticle treatment on ACP and citrus microbiomes, and evaluation of delivery of liposomes by psyllids to clas-infected citrus. Deliverables will include reports on the efficacy of three distinct types of nanoparticle-based antimicrobial treatments on clas in citrus and ACP, on the consequences of these treatments on the microbial communities of citrus and ACP, and on the efficacy of ACP-based delivery of therapeutics to treat plant pathogens. This work will evaluate the utility of liposomes to aid the delivery of plant therapeutics by reducing the environmental impact of overspray and protecting therapeutic molecules from environmental degradation. The immediate work is aimed at benefitting the citrus industry but the implications of success with this project have wide ranging implications for delivery of beneficial molecules to crop plants in general. No subawards planned.