Carbon nanodot technology hopes to improve biopesticide use
Nanodot-carried RNA sprays could let farmers target single pests and weeds while cutting synthetic pesticide use sharply.
Key takeaways
- University of Bristol spinout CDotBio is repurposing carbon nanodots from healthcare to make RNA-based biopesticides more stable and effective.
- The nanodots protect RNA from degrading too quickly, helping biopesticides reach pests or weeds and enabling more precise pest control.
- Preliminary modelling suggests nanodot-enabled RNA sprays could cut synthetic pesticide use by up to 70% in targeted applications.
- CDotBio will first target herbicide-resistant blackgrass, with trials expected in 2026 and a market launch targeted for 2028.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2025) 'Carbon nanodot technology hopes to improve biopesticide use', 311 Institute, 11 August. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/carbon-nanodots-rna-biopesticides/ (Accessed: 25 October 2026).
Carbon nanodots, originally a technology developed for the healthcare industry, could make bio-pesticides more stable and effective, believes a UK tech start-up. Carbon nanodots are ultra-small, biodegradable materials that enable precise, species-specific targeting in plants.
Traditionally used in medical and biotech applications, these nanodots are being repurposed to overcome key challenges in ribonucleic acid-based (RNA) biopesticides, such as poor stability, delivery and cellular uptake.
The biotechnology spinout company from the University of Bristol, CDotBio, which developed the technology, hopes to initially target herbicide-resistant blackgrass, which causes more than £400m in losses annually to UK farmers. The firm is also developing nanodot-enabled RNA solutions for major crop threats such as wheat rust, downy mildew, aphids and other insect pests.
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“Carbon nanodots enhance the stability and delivery of RNA, allowing biopesticides to reach pests or weeds more effectively,” explains Teo Garcia-Millan, co-founder and chief executive of CDotBio.
“This prevents RNA from degrading too quickly, enabling more precise and reliable pest control.”
The company’s preliminary modelling indicates that nanodot-enabled RNA sprays could reduce synthetic pesticide use by up to 70% in targeted applications.
Founded by researchers from the University of Bristol’s School of Chemistry and School of Biological Sciences, CDotBio’s nanodots are manufactured from renewable organic materials and are cost-effective to scale.
CDotBio’s leadership includes Dr Teo Garcia-Millan, a materials chemist with a PhD in functional nanomaterials, engineering biologist Dr Veronica Greco, and plant molecular geneticist Dr Fran Robson.
The business model is built on strategic partnerships with agri-businesses, RNA manufacturers and crop protection firms.
The start-up has been awarded the £25,000 Armourers & Brasiers Venture Prize, which recognises excellence in materials science innovation with high commercial potential. The prize will fund studies and field trials ahead of regulatory submission.
Trials are anticipated to begin in 2026, with market launch targeted for 2028, pending regulatory approvals.
First published on Fanatical Futurist on 11 August 2025.
311 Intelligence
What this means
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit
The big shift is from blanket chemical spraying to precise, biological pest control. CDotBio is taking carbon nanodots, first built for healthcare, and using them to carry RNA so biopesticides last long enough to work. We track Sprayable RNA Pesticides, sprays that switch off one vital gene in a pest while sparing other species, as a Watch technology at TRL 9 with wide use expected by 2040. Nanodots tackle the weak point of that approach: RNA that degrades too quickly.
What it means by sector.
- Farming: CDotBio's first target is herbicide-resistant blackgrass, which costs UK farmers more than £400m a year. Its preliminary modelling suggests synthetic pesticide use could fall by up to 70% in targeted applications.
- Crop protection and agri-businesses: the business model is built on partnerships with agri-businesses, RNA manufacturers and crop protection firms. We track the Farm Biologicals Boom, farmers swapping synthetic pesticides and fertilisers for biologicals, as an Explore trend with wide use by 2032.
- Materials and biotech: the nanodots are made from renewable organic materials and are cost-effective to scale. This is one more example of medical nanotechnology moving into new industries.
What to do now.
- If you supply or buy crop protection, map where resistant weeds and pests are raising your costs today.
- Plan for trials in 2026 and a targeted 2028 launch, pending regulatory approvals, before committing to long chemical supply contracts.
- Look for partnership routes with RNA and nanomaterial developers rather than waiting for finished products.
The Starburst technologies behind this story
From the 311 Technology Starburst (first product, expected wide use and readiness):
| Technology | Category | First product | Wide use | Action | TRL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprayable RNA Pesticides | Biotech | 2023 | 2040 | Watch | 9 |
| Nano-Particles | Biotech | 1995 | 2010 | Act now | 9 |
| Nano-Materials | Materials | 1997 | 2034 | Explore | 9 |
And the trends they feed, from the 311 Trends Starburst:
| Trend | Wide use | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Farm Biologicals Boom | 2032 | Explore |
| Precision Agriculture | 2020 | Act now |
How this moves the trend
Biology has been edging chemistry out of the field for years. In 2016 we covered modern farmers who grow bacteria to grow better crops, and in 2018 researchers used nanoparticles to locate metastasising cancers, the kind of medical work nanodots grew out of. In 2019 scientists fixed a genetic flaw to boost crop yields. CDotBio brings these threads together: medical nanotechnology carrying RNA to protect crops.
Go deeper with 311
- The 311 Starburst Centre: every technology and trend above, with timelines and readiness.
- 311 Vantage: ask what RNA biopesticides mean for your organisation and get a plain English executive brief.
- The Exponential Technology Codex and the Annual Trends Codex: the technologies and trends reshaping every industry.
- Book a briefing or keynote on the future of food and farming for your board or leadership team.
FAQ
What are carbon nanodots and how do they help biopesticides?
Carbon nanodots are ultra-small, biodegradable materials first developed for healthcare. CDotBio uses them to carry RNA in biopesticides, improving stability, delivery and cellular uptake so the RNA does not degrade too quickly and can reach pests or weeds more effectively.
Which crop threats is CDotBio targeting?
CDotBio will initially target herbicide-resistant blackgrass, which causes more than £400m in losses to UK farmers each year. It is also developing nanodot-enabled RNA solutions for wheat rust, downy mildew, aphids and other insect pests.
How much could nanodot-enabled RNA sprays reduce pesticide use?
The company's preliminary modelling indicates that nanodot-enabled RNA sprays could reduce synthetic pesticide use by up to 70% in targeted applications, while giving more precise, species-specific control of pests and weeds.
When will CDotBio's technology reach the market?
Field trials are anticipated to begin in 2026, funded in part by the £25,000 Armourers & Brasiers Venture Prize, with a market launch targeted for 2028, pending regulatory approvals.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
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