Expression of Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxins has proven to be a successful strategy for obtaining insect resistance in transgenic plants. Drawbacks of expression of a single resistance gene are the limited target spectrum and the potential for rapid adaptation of the pest. Hybrid toxins with a wider target spectrum in combination with existing toxins may be used as tool to mitigate these problems. In this study Red Star potato plants were genetically modified to resist insect attack by Colorado potato beetle, through insertion of synthetic version of such a hybrid gene, SN19. This makes it a useful tool for resistance management strategies.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.