Compositions and related methods for agriculture

US11350648B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Flagship Pioneering Innovations VI, LLC · US

Inventors

• Ignacio Martinez · Lexington, US
• Zachary Garo ARMEN · Boston, US
• Jonathan Friedlander · Cambridge, US
• Christine Cezar · Sammamish, US
• Barry Andrew Martin · Boston, US
• Maier Steve AVENDANO AMADO · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 24, 2018
• Grant date: Jun 7, 2022
• Expiry date: Mar 28, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12R2001/15
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Provided herein are agents, compositions, and methods for agricultural use, e.g., for altering the level, activity, or metabolism of one or more microorganisms resident in a host nematode or arthropod (e.g., honeybee or silkworm), the alteration resulting in an increase in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition that includes an agent (e.g., phage, peptide, small molecule, antibiotic, or combinations thereof) that can alter the host's microbiota in a manner that is beneficial to the host. By promoting favorable microbial levels, microbial activity, microbial metabolism, and/or microbial diversity, the agents described herein may be used to increase the fitness of a variety of beneficial nematodes or arthropods, such as bees and silkworms, utilized in agriculture and commerce.