RNAi Silencing of Aflatoxin Synthesis
Silencing of Aflatoxin Synthesis Through RNA Interference (RNAi) in Peanut Plants
The overall goal of this project is to use RNA interference (RNAi) to reduce aflatoxin contamination of peanut seeds.
PMIL funds the study of genetic diversity of fungus that produces aflatoxin in crops. Paired with research funded by the NBCRI, the work could transform peanut plants to stop attached fungus from creating toxin.
For the genetic diversity studies, samples were analyzed from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and the US and fingerprinted using sequences within the aflatoxin synthesis gene cluster.
Several African scientists working on the project visited the National Peanut Research Laboratory (NPRL) in Dawson, Ga., for hands-on training.
Three African peanut varieties (CG 7, JL 24 and ICGV 90704) are being transformed at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, using RNAi molecular constructs provided by NPRL.
Lead Scientist
Dr. Renee S. Arias, Research Pathologist
Research Collaborators
Auburn University
- Dr. Charles Chen
Haramaya University
- Dr. Abdi Mohammed Hassen
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
- Dr. Samuel Njoroge
Kenyatta University
- Dr. Steven Runo
National Crops Resources Research Institute
- Dr. Julius Serumaga
USDA-ARS National Peanut Research Laboratory
- Dr. Phat Dang
- Dr. Marshall Lamb
- Dr. Victor Sobolev
USDA-ARS Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Unit
- Dr. Brian Scheffler
Partner Institution
Research Locations
Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia
Duration
February 1, 2014 - July 31, 2017
Award No.
AID-ECG-A-00-07-0001
Sub-Award Amount
$339,933