An Era of Easy Eco-Friendly Pesticide Creation: ‘Genetic Zipper’ Algorithm Technology in Action

‘Genetic zipper’ technology—based on CUAD (Contact Unmodified Antisense DNA) biotechnology, briefly CUADb—represents a step forward in eco-friendly pest control. This unique innovative approach is based on a fundamentally new biological mechanism—a two-step DNA containment (DNAc) mechanism. DNAc employs short, unmodified antisense DNA molecules to selectively degrade target pre-rRNA and/or rRNA in insect pests recruiting up-regulated RNase H1 and RT-RNase H during DNAc, disrupting protein synthesis and causing the down-regulation of kinases due to ATP insufficiency and ultimately leading to high mortality rates. Demonstrating exceptional speed and precision, this technology enables the design of effective and selective DNA pesticides (oligonucleotide pesticides) for no less than 15% of known insect pests in a single day. In this review, we highlight the simplicity and global applicability of this technology using case studies involving 12 economically significant pest species, including hemipterans and one spider mite, from five continents. These oligonucleotide pesticides, computationally predicted via the DNAInsector web tool, are supposed to offer 80–90% efficacy against target pests within one–two weeks under laboratory or field conditions. Their action is primarily non-systemic, requiring direct contact. Oligonucleotide pesticides are environmentally safe, biodegradable, and highly specific, reducing risks to non-target organisms. The ‘genetic zipper’ technology not only provides a powerful tool for researchers and practitioners but also opens a new era in DNA-programmable pest management, where personalized, algorithm-driven pesticides can be easily created and applied for sustainable agriculture.

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Publication Details

Journal
Sci
Published
2026-08-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8080217
Primary Topic
CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

An Era of Easy Eco-Friendly Pesticide Creation: ‘Genetic Zipper’ Algorithm Technology in Action

Volodymyr V. Oberemok, Nikita V. Gal’chinsky, Kate Laikova
Sci
CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
article

An Era of Easy Eco-Friendly Pesticide Creation: ‘Genetic Zipper’ Algorithm Technology in Action

Volodymyr V. Oberemok, Nikita V. Gal’chinsky, Kate Laikova
article en

Abstract

‘Genetic zipper’ technology—based on CUAD (Contact Unmodified Antisense DNA) biotechnology, briefly CUADb—represents a step forward in eco-friendly pest control. This unique innovative approach is based on a fundamentally new biological mechanism—a two-step DNA containment (DNAc) mechanism. DNAc employs short, unmodified antisense DNA molecules to selectively degrade target pre-rRNA and/or rRNA in insect pests recruiting up-regulated RNase H1 and RT-RNase H during DNAc, disrupting protein synthesis and causing the down-regulation of kinases due to ATP insufficiency and ultimately leading to high mortality rates. Demonstrating exceptional speed and precision, this technology enables the design of effective and selective DNA pesticides (oligonucleotide pesticides) for no less than 15% of known insect pests in a single day. In this review, we highlight the simplicity and global applicability of this technology using case studies involving 12 economically significant pest species, including hemipterans and one spider mite, from five continents. These oligonucleotide pesticides, computationally predicted via the DNAInsector web tool, are supposed to offer 80–90% efficacy against target pests within one–two weeks under laboratory or field conditions. Their action is primarily non-systemic, requiring direct contact. Oligonucleotide pesticides are environmentally safe, biodegradable, and highly specific, reducing risks to non-target organisms. The ‘genetic zipper’ technology not only provides a powerful tool for researchers and practitioners but also opens a new era in DNA-programmable pest management, where personalized, algorithm-driven pesticides can be easily created and applied for sustainable agriculture.

SciVol. 8(8)
Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea (RU), V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University (UA)
V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
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An Era of Easy Eco-Friendly Pesticide Creation: ‘Genetic Zipper’ Algorithm Technology in Action — Volodymyr V. Oberemok, Nikita V. Gal’chinsky, et al. · Sci (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS