High frequency induction of structural variation in plants using novel mutagens
A novel mutagenesis platform using etoposide and deazacytidine to induce structural variations in plants, enhancing traits like leaf shape and seed size. It offers a scalable, cost-effective approach for crop improvement.
Overview
The proposed solution introduces a groundbreaking mutagenesis platform that utilizes the novel mutagens etoposide and deazacytidine to induce heritable structural variations in plants. This platform enables the generation of diverse phenotypic traits such as altered leaf shape, pigmentation, seed size, and dwarf architecture. By employing etoposide, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, the method preferentially targets genic regions, resulting in a high frequency of mutations. This innovative approach offers a scalable and cost-effective means to rapidly create structural variation libraries for trait discovery and crop improvement.
Technical specifications
Key Features:
- Utilizes etoposide to inhibit topoisomerase II, generating frequent inversions, deletions, duplications, and translocations.
- Combines etoposide with deazacytidine to alter DNA methylation, creating epimutations that affect gene expression.
- Applicable across various plant species, with initial trials focusing on Oryza sativa (rice).
- Generates heritable structural and epigenetic variants, enabling targeted trait improvement.
Applications:
- Trait discovery for agricultural improvement.
- Generation of mutant plant libraries for research and development.
- Enhancing crop resilience and productivity through targeted breeding programs.
Technology readiness level
This technology is at TRL 4, having been validated with initial sequencing and phenotyping. Current efforts focus on establishing a scalable platform in rice, with ongoing experiments to characterize and optimize mutagenic efficiency and heritability of induced traits.
About University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a comprehensive public research university with three campuses in the Toronto region and a globally scaled research enterprise. Its downtown footprint is embedded within a major academic health network and an adjacent innovation district, enabling co-located labs, clinical trials, and rapid testing with end users. Companies connect through co-op and long-duration internships, sponsored research, and access to shared core facilities and prototyping resources. Research is supported by Canada’s Tri‑Agency (NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, alongside provincial programs and industry partnerships. A dedicated technology transfer office provides IP management, licensing, and startup support through a coordinated entrepreneurship network.
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