Speakers & Moderators

Clémence Guyoux is a 5th-year student at SupBiotech, an engineering school specializing in biotechnology. Throughout her academic journey, she has focused on research and development in the healthcare sector. She also holds a dual bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology from the University of Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC). As part of her engineering degree, Clémence had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where she studied human and plant physiology. Alongside her 4th year of studies, she became Vice President of the IONIS-Paris team, which presented the CAP’siRNA* project during the 2024 edition of the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, focused on synthetic biology.
*CAP’siRNA is an Innovative Solution to Protect Agricultural Crops from Viral Diseases Using RNA Interference Technology. Global food security is threatened by overpopulation, climate change, and emerging agricultural diseases. To address this challenge, the Ionis-Paris team, awarded during the 2024 edition of the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, developed the CAP’siRNA project. This innovative platform delivers RNA interference (RNAi) to combat viral infections affecting agricultural crops. CAP’siRNA draws inspiration from natural plant defense mechanisms, employing in vivo synthesis to produce RNAi precursors. These precursors are specifically designed to target genes within the genomes of agricultural viruses. Once inside the plant, these RNA precursors are converted into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which guide plant enzymes to degrade the targeted viral RNA, thereby halting virus replication and spread.
To protect the RNAi precursors from environmental factors and ensure their successful delivery into plants, a second strategy was devised, leveraging viral vectors. This RNA platform can be customized to target a broad range of plant viruses. The first proof-of-concept focuses on yellowing disease affecting sugar beets. This disease reduces sugar yield by up to 40%, leaving farmers with no effective solution. The CAP’siRNA solution is highly effective, non-GMO, biodegradable, and specifically targets viruses, avoiding the ecological damage caused by traditional insecticides.