Open Competition 2 - Biotechnology

Multi-Gene Mini-Chromosomes for Gene Delivery into Plants

Sponsor: Chromatin, Inc.

• Project Performance Period: 7/1/2003 - 6/30/2006
• Total project (est.): $3,795,321.00
• Requested ATP funds: $1,967,632.00

Improving plants by introducing one or a small number of genes has become routine during the past decade. However, the pace of crop improvement through biotechnology is hindered severely because a successful method for the controlled introduction of a large number of genes simultaneously does not exist. To solve this problem, Chromatin plans to develop multi-gene mini-chromosomes (MGMs). Chromatin will develop techniques for rapidly generating multi-gene clusters designed to ensure stable and consistent gene expression in soybean cells and will incorporate those clusters into mini-chromosomes, thus forming MGMs. By enabling the flexible and efficient introduction of large numbers of genes including entire biosynthetic pathways into plants, MGMs could serve as reliable genetic vehicles for engineering new crop varieties that have multiple advantageous traits. Manipulating centromeres (chromosomal regions essential for inheritance), avoiding or minimizing gene silencing effects, and delivering the new genes without disrupting the host genome are important technical difficulties to be overcome. In addition to its scientific staff, Chromatin will draw on the knowledge of a diverse scientific advisory board and on the expertise of outside collaborators. ATP funding will allow the company to conduct the research and development needed to validate mini-chromosomes as effective vehicles for delivering multiple genes. The resulting assembly of an MGM prototype carrying six genes should in turn attract investment through commercial partnerships that would support further research. Successful development of MGMs could lead to engineered soybean varieties having improved properties, such as resistance to disease, greater salt and drought tolerance, and more nutritional value. If MGMs can reduce saturated fats in soybeans and other crops, the resulting health benefits, such as possible reductions in cardiovascular disease, could be enormous. Potentially, MGMs also could allow chemical and pharmaceutical companies to use crops as cost-effective and environmentally friendly means for producing industrial and consumer chemicals, food additives, and pharmaceuticals. MGMs could decrease time to market for engineered plants by 50 percent and increase crop yields by 25 percent. Lastly, MGMs could serve as a revolutionary research tool that expedites scientific discoveries in plant science.

For project information:

Mich Hein, (312) 455-1853
hein@chromatininc.com

ATP Project Manager

Lawrence Uhteg, (301) 975-8779
lawrence.uhteg@nist.gov