Dr. Cory Momany’s lab has been awarded a prestigious grant to develop a species-specific insecticide targeting the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina)—a recent and serious threat to American beekeeping. Their solution is to leverage RNA interference (RNAi), a natural biological mechanism, to create double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules that are lethal to the hornet but harmless to beneficial native pollinators like bees and butterflies. These pollinators are vital to the environment but also to the cultivation of medicinal plants used in pharmaceutical raw materials, for example, Digitalis and Echinacea.

This cutting-edge technique takes advantage of insects’ ability to absorb dsRNA and uses it to disrupt vital genes. Thanks to a new cost-efficient bacterial production system developed in the Momany lab, this once-pricey method could soon become widely accessible—potentially reducing treatment costs from hundreds of dollars to just a few dollars.

With the new funding, the team will begin by analyzing publicly available genomic data to design dsRNA sequences that are unique to V. velutina, ensuring the insecticide doesn’t harm other species in Georgia’s ecosystem. Using pre-developed “generic” plasmids and standard recombinant DNA techniques, the lab can produce each unique dsRNA sequence in under a month. Sophisticated computational analysis supports the more complex molecular biology tasks—especially the design of these highly specific RNA sequences.

Much of the hands-on research is conducted at the University of Georgia by participants in the Young Dawgs program, undergraduates, and volunteers seeking laboratory experience. The lab aims to generate more than 20 potential gene targets and will conduct small-scale toxicity studies in approved organisms like worms and small hive beetles. These tests will help optimize bacterial production and assess safety, including screening for endotoxin contamination. Non-toxic formulations will then be shared with the UGA Bee Lab and the Georgia Department of Agriculture for further evaluation in honeybees—and potentially in live hornets, if available for controlled studies.

Protecting pollinators like honeybees preserves ecosystems but also access to plant-based medicines, aligning closely with the UGA College of Pharmacy’s mission to further understand and sustain the biological foundations of organisms that can impact patient care.