Genome editing and transformation services for solanaceous and cucurbitaceous crops

Overview

This offering provides specialized crop transformation and genome editing services for Solanaceous and Cucurbitaceous crops, addressing a key bottleneck for industry partners seeking to develop improved varieties of these commercially important plant families. Led by the head of the Crop Transformation and Genome Editing Unit at Rothamsted Research, the service combines deep expertise in biolistic (particle bombardment) transformation with cutting-edge CRISPR/Cas genome editing technologies. Partners gain access to proven methodologies, purpose-built cloning tools, and rigorous validation workflows designed to deliver transgene-free, genome-edited plant lines.

Technical specifications

Transformation capabilities:

• Particle bombardment (biolistic) transformation, a well-established method for crops that are recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-mediated approaches
• Protoplast transformation as an alternative technique for difficult-to-edit species
• Track record across multiple crops including wheat, oilseed rape, rice, tomato, potato, faba bean, and soybean

Genome editing tools:

• CRISPR/Cas9 and CRISPR/Cas12a (Cpf1) systems, both validated for generating large chromosomal deletions and inversions in plants
• A published modular Golden Gate cloning toolkit enabling rapid assembly of editing constructs tailored to specific targets
• Guide RNA design informed by genome sequence data, prioritizing targets with minimal off-target potential
• PCR genotyping to detect large-scale editing events such as 2 Mbp chromosome inversions
• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) to monitor mutagenesis at predicted off-target sites and to confirm transgene-free status of edited lines through segregation analysis

Technology readiness level

The underlying transformation and editing methodologies are established and operational at Rothamsted Research, with demonstrated success across multiple crop species. The modular Golden Gate cloning toolkit is published and available for use. For Solanaceous and Cucurbitaceous crops specifically, the work involves adapting and optimizing these proven tools to new species, representing a mid-to-late stage development effort. Validation activities include establishing reliable transformation protocols, optimizing editing conditions for each target species, selecting high-fidelity guide RNAs, and confirming transgene-free edited lines through segregation and NGS-based verification.