Training next level scientists and researchers to develop highly selective and safe insecticides - CypTox

Insecticides are substances that help eliminate insects and mites that cause human diseases such as malaria. While there are benefits to their use, they can also pose a serious threat to both wildlife and humans, for example through toxic residues in food and water. This issue has encouraged research into the creation of low-risk insecticides. One area research has explored is the role of the enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP) in the sensitivity to insecticides. The EU-funded CypTox project will exploit the CYP metabolic/detoxification pathway of target and non-target organisms in order to develop insecticides that are highly selective and safe. The project’s work will also lead to state-of-the-art biotechnology platforms.