The problem ?

An alternative weaponry must be found to replace the harmful and expensive traditional insecticides, that is now nearly useless against bed bugs. Because of the excessive use of insecticides, the tiny bugs developed multiple resistance mechanisms (exoskeleton thickening and enhanced metabolic pathways to neutralize toxic chemicals such as chlorpyrifos). As a result, pest control companies are obliged to increase the insecticides' doses with high risks of toxicity incurred for mammals, birds, aquatic animals, and bees.

The plan ?

First subunit

To elaborate our trap, we are going to use the biological properties of an entomopathogenic fungus called Beauveria bassiana. It was first used as a way to fight against insects in agriculture in Canada, and later on, all over the world. The fungus can penetrate the bed bug's exoskeleton: the cuticle. Firstly, the spore attaches to the cuticle and germs. Secondly, the spore breaks down a first fatty acids layer using the lipase protein. The fungus keeps going and breaks the second layer: the chitin, using the endochitinase protein. Afterward, it reaches the insect's hemolymph, then feeds, multiplies, and releases toxins, causing the bugs death. The whole process takes about 12 days. Our objective is to enhance the fungus to improve its killing efficiency and speed by overexpressing the lipase and endochitinase proteins, and adding other adjuvants. We want to reduce the lethal doses and kill the bed bugs in fewer days.

Second subunit

The pheromones that we plan to use, are chemical molecules produced by the bugs. They use them to navigate and find their shelters. The plan is to add biosynthesis pathways in E. coli two produce two types of pheromones: benzyl alcohol and DMDS/DMTS.</li>
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