BIO Snare :

In 2050, food production is expected to double in order to meet the needs of the whole human population. With this constant growth, global warming is both a consequence and a factor impacting food production. Indeed, the rising temperatures can modify pests’ behavior, affecting their reproduction, survival rate, the species propagation, for example. Pest insects are one of the biggest challenges for agricultural production.

To address this problem, agrochemical products are often used, even though they have a significant negative impact. Their application on crops by spraying can lead to runoff and contamination of soils, of groundwater, rivers and streams, polluting water sources.

To reduce spraying, adhesive patches have been developed to trap these pest insects. These patches are also used in households as an alternative to chemical insecticides (like the one in spray forms, plugged, etc.). The negative effects of these products in houses on plants, children and pets’ health has long been proven.

Although these adhesive patches have less impact on the environment and residents, it also has some drawbacks. Indeed, these patches are mostly made from petrochemical and hydrocarbon variants. It raises environmental concerns about their production. Additionally, they are neither recyclable or biodegradable, contributing to the long-term waste problem.

This is why we are launching BIO Snare: a sticky and colorful patch, 100% bio-based, biodegradable and environmentally friendly. It is designed to protect crops and households from harmful insects while fully respecting the environment by trapping pests.

BIO Snare is an innovative trap in the form of a patch designed to capture insect pests by sticking to them with a strong glue surface. This patch, placed directly on the trees to protect, will attract targeted insects with its specific color. Indeed, insects are attracted to specific colors depending on the species. The patch is completely biodegradable, meaning it naturally decomposes without leaving any harmful residues in the environment.

How to produce a 100% bio-based and 100% biodegradable sticky and colorful patch?

In our quest to find a biodegradable and bio-based material, we discovered the article Living materials with programmable functionalities grown from engineered microbial co-cultures (Gilbert et al.). It enabled us to base our work on the described co-culture of two microorganisms of interests. In order to produce a cellulose that is both colored and sticky, the co-culture is used to give different properties to the cellulose, depending on the proteins secreted by the modified yeast.

We are therefore utilizing a co-culture of two specific microorganisms:

• Komagataeibacter rhaeticus, a bacterium that naturally produces cellulose in large quantities.
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a yeast that will be genetically modified to produce and secrete proteins, to modify the cellulose.

The proteins in question are Cp19k, derived from barnacle’s cement to provide adhesive properties, and MaSp1, derived from spider silk. These two proteins were chosen for their strong adhesive properties to form the bioglue. We would like to work with the proteins Cp19k and MaSp1 because previous iGEM projects have studied them.

To provide the yellow color, the chromoprotein fwYellow was chosen. Yellow attracts Suzuki flies, a massive pest of cherry trees.

These proteins secreted by S. cerevisiae will bind to the cellulose as they will be fused with a cellulose-binding domain (CBD). This domain is essential for the secreted protein to remain attached to the cellulose.

We have decided to engage in this project and take on the accompanying challenges for several important reasons:

Food Insecurity In France

12.2% of the population, or nearly 8 million people, suffer from food insecurity. This alarming figure underscores the crucial importance of finding solutions to reduce food losses, whether at the level of agricultural production or domestic consumption. Combating food waste is essential to ensure food security for all.

Importance of Local Agriculture

The Lyon basin is recognized as the leading producer of raspberries and cherries in France, while vineyards represent the main agricultural activity in the Rhône department. Agriculture plays a vital role in our region, both for the local economy and for regional culture. We aim to provide sustainable solutions that align with a sustainable development approach and respect the environment.

Multidisciplinarity of Our Team

Our team is composed of students from various academic fields, offering a rich diversity of skills and perspectives:

• Health Aspect: Pesticides are known for their carcinogenic effects. Children exposed to household insecticides have an increased risk of developing hematopoietic cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Therefore, it is imperative to develop safer alternatives.
• Environmental Aspect: Preserving the commensal flora of the soil is essential for maintaining the health of ecosystems. Insecticide residues can negatively interact with this flora, disrupting natural balances and soil fertility. Our research aims to find ways to minimize these impacts and promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Our Commitment

We are determined to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to these challenges. By relying on a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, we aim to preserve our environment and support local agriculture. Our commitment is to work in harmony with nature, respecting ecosystems, and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable society.

Replace patches made with polluting hydrocarbons with fully biodegradable patches, providing environmentally friendly support to the agricultural industry, which could lead to a reduction in the intensive use of pesticides. Offer an alternative, respectful of residents' health, to the insecticides used in households.