Gene-edited disease-resistant compact tomato lines
Introducing gene-edited tomato lines with enhanced resistance to Phytophthora infestans and compact growth, ideal for high-density and greenhouse production. Developed using CRISPR/Cas9, these non-transgenic varieties offer simplified regulatory approval and commercial scalability.
Overview
The Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata presents a groundbreaking development in agricultural biotechnology: gene-edited tomato lines engineered for increased resistance to Phytophthora infestans and compact architectural growth. Utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, these lines exhibit enhanced disease resistance while maintaining a compact growth habit, making them particularly suitable for high-density planting and greenhouse environments. The non-transgenic nature of these edits simplifies regulatory pathways, aligning with market trends that prefer non-GMO solutions. This innovation promises to increase crop resilience and efficiency in resource utilization.
Technical specifications
- Gene Editing Technique: CRISPR/Cas9 was employed to knockout a specific susceptibility gene in the Money Maker tomato variety.
- Disease Resistance: Enhanced resistance to Phytophthora infestans, a major pathogen in tomato cultivation.
- Growth Habit: Compact architecture due to shortened internodes, facilitating high-density planting.
- Regulatory Advantage: Edited lines are non-transgenic null segregants, easing regulatory approval.
- Scalability: Traits can be introgressed into elite lines via conventional breeding or directly edited.
- Validation: Molecularly confirmed edits and phenotypic consistency under controlled conditions.
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at TRL 4, indicating that it has been validated in a laboratory environment. Future plans include multi-site greenhouse trials to assess trait stability and agronomic performance, with potential collaboration opportunities for further development and deployment in commercial varieties.
About Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata
Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata is a comprehensive public research university in a major Atlantic port city, integrating education with applied research. Co-located institutes with CONICET and purpose-built laboratories help teams move rapidly from discovery to pilot-scale validation. Its coastal setting places researchers next to a leading national fishing and food-processing hub and a growing manufacturing and IT ecosystem, creating ready partners for co-development, testing, and talent pipelines. Research is supported by CONICET and the Agencia I+D+i, with additional support from provincial programs and international collaborators. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation, and provides access to testing and prototyping services.
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