Environmental fate data to characterize the extent of biodegradation of dsRNAs in environmental matrices is an essential element of a comprehensive environmental risk assessment of RNA-based agricultural products. The continued use of RNA-based gene suppression for agricultural products necessitates the development of novel analytical methods to determine the biodegradation potential of dsRNAs in the environment. Therefore, we have developed two complimentary techniques to assess the rate of degradation in soil of dsRNA from a biotechnology-derived in planta RNA-based insect-protected corn product. These techniques include a QuantiGene� assay to quantify the amount of dsRNA and an insect bioassay to measure functional toxicity. Results will be presented indicating that soil samples dosed with a dsRNA alone or with a dsRNA-corn tissue mixture demonstrate a loss of the parent dsRNA over time. Furthermore, results from insect bioassay indicate a corresponding time-dependent loss in biological activity. Results from complimentary methods support a lack of persistence of dsRNA in the soil environment and will be broadly useful for the exposure assessment needed to appropriately assess the environmental risk of RNA-based agricultural products.

Assessing the fate of RNA-based agricultural products in the environment

246th National Meeting (2013)

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