E-learning capsule: “Towards Safe and Selective Insecticides. Development of Safe and Selective Insecticides: current status and future advances”

https://sites.google.com/view/cyptox-training-design/home

Introduction & Objectives:

CypTox – A Step Towards Safer Insecticides
Insect-borne diseases and crop pests continue to threaten global health and food security. While insecticides have saved millions of lives, rising resistance and limited low-risk options demand urgent innovation.

💡 CypTox’s Mission:
CypTox harnessed advanced biotechnology to target the cytochrome P450 (CYP) detoxification pathway—developing next-generation insecticides that are both highly effective against pests and safe for pollinators, humans, and the environment.

🔧 What We Achieved:

• Designed high-throughput enzyme/cell screening tools and in silico platforms for smart insecticide development.

• Delivered robust training, industry-academia mobility, and innovation-ready tools for resistance management.

• Built a strong academic-industry-global partner network, enabling real-world impact and career development.

🎯 Objective:
To exploit CYP pathways for highly selective, resistance-breaking insecticides, making pest and vector control more efficient, sustainable, and safe.

Current phase of the project: Reporting Period 2 – Final Reporting Period

Secondments progress:

152 secondment months were implemented

Training Events progress:

Over the course of the CypTox project, a total of 5 major training events were organized, including 2 hands-on practical courses, 2 thematic workshops, and 1 interactive e-learning capsule developed by Syngenta. In addition, secondments included on-site training sessions at academic and industrial host institutions (e.g., Syngenta, EnzyQuest, Bionos, MAGMA), covering good laboratory practices, biosafety, and specialized technical skills. These activities provided comprehensive career development and technical upskilling for all seconded researchers.

Technical progress

🚀 CypTox Project – Final Results at a Glance
In its final phase, CypTox successfully delivered on its promise to develop safe, selective insecticides by harnessing cutting-edge biotechnology. Over 150 secondment months boosted collaboration between academia and industry, powering innovation across sectors.

🔬 Key Results:

• Built a curated CYP gene database and confirmed detoxification roles using advanced reporter systems and field samples.

• Developed functional CYP-based assays, stable insect/mammalian cell lines, and scalable expression platforms.

• Discovered natural synergists like curcumin and validated selective pro-insecticides through in vitro and in vivo profiling.

• Tested lead compounds on pests and vectors in bioassays, confirming high efficacy and low non-target toxicity.

📚 Training & Impact:
CypTox delivered 5 major training events, a public e-learning capsule, and strong outreach via workshops, conferences, and public science events—leaving a lasting legacy in safe pesticide development.

21st of September 2022

The CypTox Workshop: Personal Career Development Plan will take place on the 21st of September 2022 at IMBB-FORTH with physical attendance only.

The agenda of the Workshop is available here (pdf).

22nd of September 2022

The CypTox Practical Course: Enzyme Biotechnology– CYP applications will take place on the 22nd of September 2022 at IMBB-FORTH with physical attendance only.

The agenda of the Practical Course is available here (pdf).