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Genetic engineering is widely used to introduce new agronomic, quality, and sustainability traits into crops. The ability to precisely insert multi-kilobase genetic elements at defined genomic loci remains a key limitation in major row crops such as soybean and oilseed rape. Current transformation approaches in these crops often rely on random or semi-random integration, which can result in variable expression levels, positional effects, potential disruption of endogenous genes, and increased complexity in trait development, breeding and regulatory characterization.
Small edits and gene knockouts are now routine in many plant systems, but targeted multi-kilobase cassette insertion is still technically challenging. It requires delivery of an intact donor sequence, accurate repair or integration at the intended site, recovery of full-length single-copy events, and regeneration of fertile plants across relevant genetic backgrounds. In practice, these steps are limited by low precise-integration efficiencies, event quality issues, and crop- and genotype-dependent transformation and regeneration performance.
We are seeking novel approaches, programmable solutions, enabling technologies, or platform components that can contribute to efficient and predictable targeted sequence insertion in crop genomes. Recognizing that this capability is not yet routine in commercially relevant crops, we are open to collaborating with a partner to (co)-develop or license-in technologies that could help achieve this goal in crops such as soybean (Glycine max) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus). The desired outcome is an editing technology capable of precise site-specific integration with predictable frequencies (preferably >5%) of large DNA sequences (at least 7-10 kb) across diverse genetic backgrounds at multiple pre-defined genomic loci.
- Programmable nuclease-mediated targeted insertion approaches (e.g., CRISPR-Cas, Cas12a)
- Strategies that increase precise donor-mediated insertion (e.g., donor template optimization, repair pathway modulation, donor amplification systems)
- Engineered transposase or transposon-based systems adapted for targeted or semi-targeted DNA insertion in plant genomes
- Integrated platform approaches that combine editing machinery, donor delivery
- Credible path toward insertion load of at least 7-10 kb, ideally remaining effective as payload size increases up to 25 kb.
- Reproducibility is supported by strong evidence of transferability beyond model plants such as Arabidopsis. Preference will be given to technologies with data in soybean and/or oilseed rape, but evidence from model systems or other crop plants may be considered where strong rationale for translatability to these targets crops can be provided.
- Precise and predictable sequence integration, preferably single copy, with evidence or a credible path toward stable inheritance across generations.
- Limited off-target activity and minimal unintended genomic modifications are expected.
- Evidence-based alignment with enabling technologies (e.g. delivery systems, recombination/repair enhancers, and plant transformation components).
- Enables high-efficiency, site-specific DNA integration in soybean and oilseed rape
- Validated and IP-protected solution with licensing opportunities, especially if broadly applicable across soybean and oilseed rape
- If technology is dependent on Cas nucleases, it should be validated with Cas12a nuclease
- Proven technology that is open for co-development and IP support by BASF
- Technologies enabling efficient stacking of multiple traits at defined genomic loci in complex polyploid backgrounds such as B. napus and wheat
- Compatible with existing Agrobacterium mediated transformation protocols for oilseeds and breeding pipelines
- Approaches that fail to show targeted insertion across different genomic loci and crops
- Prime Editing-based targeted integration strategies and their derivatives
- Transgenic approaches or strategies that are not compatible with current or emerging regulatory frameworks for new breeding technologies
- Studies and approaches are limited to model plants only, unless sufficient data is available to support transferability to oil crops
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