Estructura de la proteína Cas9 utilizada en la edición de genes; crédito: UC Berkeley
DuPont Pioneer anunció los híbridos de maíz ceroso como su primer producto agrícola comercial desarrollado a través de la aplicación de tecnología avanzada de crianza habilitada por CRISPR-Cas.
Se espera que esta próxima generación de híbridos de maíz ceroso de élite esté disponible para los productores estadounidenses dentro de cinco años, en espera de ensayos de campo y revisiones regulatorias.
“We’re applying our 90 years of knowledge of corn biology to develop the next generation of high-quality waxy corn hybrids for the benefit of the entire value chain from growers to processors and end users,” said Neal Gutterson, vice president, research and development for DuPont Pioneer. “Starting with an identity-preserved product as our initial CRISPR-Cas offering allows us to lay a solid foundation for success of future larger volume products from this plant breeding innovation.”
According to Pioneer, it is the leading supplier of waxy corn hybrids globally. In the United States, about a half-million acres of waxy corn are grown each year; however, they traditionally yield less than non-waxy corn hybrids. Waxy corn produces a high amylopectin starch content, which is milled for a number of everyday consumer food and non-food uses including processed foods, adhesives and high-gloss paper. Waxy corn is typically grown on contract through a closed-loop production system commonly referred to as “identity-preserved.”
“The next generation of waxy hybrids developed with CRISPR-Cas will represent a step-change in how efficiently we bring elite genetic platforms of high-yielding waxy corn to our customers,” Gutterson said.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently published its response to Pioneer’s “Regulated Article Letter of Inquiry” stating that it does not consider next-generation waxy corn developed with CRISPR-Cas enabled advanced breeding technology as regulated by USDA Biotechnology Regulatory Services.
“DuPont Pioneer believes that CRISPR-Cas as an advanced plant breeding tool holds great promise for maintaining the world’s ability to produce an abundant and healthy food supply. The USDA’s confirmation is an important first step toward clarifying the U.S. regulatory landscape and the development of seed products with CRISPR-Cas technology,” said Gutterson. “We continue to consult with global regulatory bodies and government agencies in order to understand the potential regulations around the world.”
Pioneer está estableciendo una plataforma de reproducción avanzada habilitada por CRISPR-Cas para desarrollar productos de semillas para una mayor resiliencia ambiental con características como resistencia a enfermedades y tolerancia a la sequía, además de avanzar en el desarrollo de sistemas híbridos mejorados. La tecnología tiene aplicabilidad para todos los cultivos Pioneer de interés.
“This is just the beginning: We believe the true value of this important innovation in plant breeding will be achieved through active engagement with customers, academia, governments, NGOs and public research institutes to develop new solutions to the toughest agricultural challenges,” added Gutterson. “Pioneer has a long history of collaboration and broadly advancing science and is open to entering further collaborations which would contribute to developing CRISPR-Cas technology across all crops and geographies for the greater good.”
Pioneer anunció previamente acuerdos estratégicos para colaboraciones de investigación y licencias de propiedad intelectual (IP) con la Universidad de Vilnius y con Caribou Biosciences. Estos se combinan con la propiedad intelectual, las capacidades tecnológicas, la infraestructura y la experiencia científica de DuPont que se están aplicando para hacer avanzar CRISPR-Cas.
Fuente: DuPont Pioneer