In this project, we propose a green and organic biological solution to the widespread problem of tea aphid infestation
in tea plantations. In order to realize the goal of automatic identification of insect pests and release of sex
pheromones by engineered yeast, we designed a detection and production system carried in the engineering bacteria. In
order to realize the application of engineered yeast in the tea garden environment, we designed corresponding hardware
equipment.
Our implementation techniques are combined with the parts below.
![](https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4177/wiki/wiki/detectionpart.png)
Aiming at the characteristics of benzaldehyde and other small molecular signals released by tea in the process of aphid feeding, we designed a detection system with the HarmOR10 receptor to detect benzaldehyde released by tea, realizing the identification of engineered yeast to aphid damage of tea. On this basis, we designed an and gate signal recognition system to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of recognition.
![](https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4177/wiki/wiki/productionpart.png)
Nepetol and nepetalactone are the main components of aphid sex pheromones. The use of sex pheromones can interfere with the mating of aphids and attract natural enemies of aphids, making them a role in controlling aphid damage. Based on the original strain with a low yield of nepetol, we obtained a strain with a high yield of nepetol/ nepetalactone, which initially realized the production and release of aphid pheromone. In addition, nepetol and nepetalactone also have the effect of deworming and are well known as cat stimulants by pet owners. The high-yield strains constructed by us also have potential in the field of insect repellent and pet toy production.
![](https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4177/wiki/wiki/productionpart.png)
The engineering yeasts equipped with the detection and releasing systems will be put into a device that allows the yeasts to work and interact with the environment properly in a bio-secure environment. Our device contains a designed box and portable panels, which could immobilize engineering yeasts on mediums and are a key part of the device to be installed into the box. The device could be standing among tea plants and then performing its function. The Hardware page also contains our brainstorming progress for the device and its "evolution" progress.