Celltera: automated high-throughput tissue culture technology
CellTera is a revolutionary automated tissue culture system that isolates and multiplies single mutated plant cells, offering faster, cheaper, and more controlled mutation processes than traditional seed mutagenesis.
Overview
CellTera by Amatera Biosciences is an innovative automated high-throughput tissue culture technology designed to revolutionize mutation breeding in plants. By isolating single mutated plant cells, CellTera multiplies them in microculture and identifies the cell lines of interest using techniques such as TILLING before regenerating them into mature plants. Compared to traditional seed mutagenesis methods, CellTera is twice as fast, ten times more cost-effective, and allows for successive mutagenesis steps with enhanced control over mutation frequency.
Technical specifications
CellTera operates by initially developing a regeneration system for wild type protoplasts or microspores. This is followed by a similar system for mutated counterparts. The technology then defines a mutation frequency curve for the selected germplasm, enabling the production of plants with targeted gene mutations. The use of microculture allows for precise manipulation and observation of mutation effects, ensuring that only the most promising cell lines are regenerated into plants.
Technology readiness level
Currently, CellTera is at Technology Readiness Level 5, indicating that the technology has been validated in a laboratory environment. Future validation steps include further development of regeneration systems for both wild type and mutated cells and defining mutation frequency curves for various germplasms. These steps will solidify CellTera's potential for commercial application and wider adoption in plant biotechnology.
About AMATERA
Amatera Biosciences is a French biotechnology company that has developed a proprietary, non-GMO breeding platform designed to accelerate the development of climate-resilient perennial crops. By integrating advanced plant cell biology, high-throughput automation, and machine learning, the company shifts the traditional crop screening process from greenhouse environments to the cellular level. This approach allows them to identify and develop improved genetic traits significantly faster and more cost-effectively than conventional breeding methods, which can otherwise take decades for perennial plants. Their platform focuses on optimizing variety improvement through in vitro culture techniques, enabling the rapid selection and crossing of plants to address threats like disease and climate change.
The company’s work is critical for partners in the seed and agrifood industries who face the urgent need to sustain global crop production in the face of environmental challenges. Amatera is currently working on specific high-impact projects, including the development of a climate-resistant coffee variety dubbed Robustica, which aims to combine the quality of Arabica with the robustness of Robusta, as well as a naturally caffeine-free coffee bean. Beyond coffee, they are applying their technology to other essential crops such as grapes, aiming to reduce pesticide dependence. Headquartered in Paris and founded in 2022, Amatera has attracted significant venture investment to scale its automated genetics platform and industrialize its R&D capabilities for a broader range of perennial and annual crops.
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