Les abstracts des interventions à ce colloque qui s'est tenu du 10 au 12 Avril, sont en ligne  ( 12 p)

RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which small ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules inhibit gene expression, typically by causing the enzymatic destruction of specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, which are the templates for the synthesis of proteins. This process is commonly referred to as post-transcriptional gene silencing
(PTGS); that is, mRNA is transcribed from the DNA gene but before the message is translated into proteins by ribosomes, the mRNA is blocked or otherwise destroyed by an enzymatic process guided by a specific non-coding small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA (miRNA).

Using RNAi-based technology, plant protection against pests may be achieved among other ways by topical application (spraying) of dsRNA molecules (with a nucleotide sequence specifically developed to target a pest species) onto the plant. The dsRNA on the leaf surface may be directly ingested by feeding pests or, if the uptake of the dsRNA is facilitated in some way to aid penetration of the cuticle, the absorbed
dsRNA molecules could possibly be processed to shorter siRNA molecules and distributed throughout the plant. The increasing development of these products has policy implications and guidance on regulating this technology is needed.

The OECD’s two and a half-day Conference summarises the current state of knowledge and on-going developments that are relevant for the regulation of externally applied dsRNA-based products that are proposed for use as pesticides.

Session 1: Summary of the State of the Art: dsRNA-based Product Use in Agriculture

 parmi les exposés :
Potential for off-target effects in topically applied dsRNA-based products used for crop protection purposes Gunter Meister, University of Regensburg, Germany
Environmental dissipation of dsRNA in soil, aquatic systems and plants
Pam Bachman, Bayer
Dietary uptake of environmental dsRNA in humans and other vertebrates Thais B Rodrigues, Greenlight Biosciences, United States

Session 2: Summary of Regulatory & Risk Assessment Experience with dsRNA-based Products