Molecular Net Boosts the Power of Natural Biopesticides

Molecular net boosts the power of natural biopesticides

Scientists at VIB and Vrije Universiteit Brussel have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that helps a widely used biological pesticide become more effective. The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals how bacteria produce ultra-strong protein fibers that form a molecular net, trapping infectious spores and toxins into a sticky film that enhances their ability to kill insect pests.

Nanotechnology amplifies the effectiveness of natural biopesticides

In a striking advancement poised to reshape sustainable pest management, researchers from VIB and Vrije Universiteit Brussel have unraveled a novel biological mechanism behind the efficiency of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a cornerstone in eco-friendly agriculture. Their groundbreaking study, documented in Nature Communications, details the discovery of a unique fibrous protein network, coined ‘sporesilk’, that intricately […]