Maize endophyte collection for engineered product delivery and seed persistence

Overview

This research centers on a curated collection of 300 bacterial strains isolated from maize grown in soil microbiomes sourced from pristine Kansas tallgrass and shortgrass prairies. These diverse ecosystems are expected to harbor novel bacterial strains with unique properties. The isolates have demonstrated the ability to survive in soil and colonize maize roots as endophytes, making them promising candidates for agricultural biotechnology applications.

The collection offers two primary value propositions: bacterial strains that systemically colonize maize plants and could serve as vehicles for engineered product delivery, and select microbes capable of surviving as seed endophytes, potentially extending shelf-life for commercial applications.

Technical specifications

Collection characteristics:

• 300 bacterial strains isolated and identified through high-throughput culturing
• Sourced from surface-sterilized maize roots (B73 inbred line) grown in calcined clay
• Inoculated with soil microbiomes from diverse Kansas prairie ecosystems
• Strains confirmed as soil survivors and maize root endophytes

Research capabilities:

• Strain-specific primer development for quantification across plant tissues (roots, stems, leaves)
• Whole genome sequencing of candidate strains
• High-throughput culturing and identification methods
• Surface sterilization protocols for endophyte isolation

Proposed validation approaches:

• Tracking persistence and abundance across plant developmental stages
• Silk spray inoculation to identify seed endophyte candidates
• Shelf-life testing for successful seed endophytes
• Seedling transfer assessment for seed-borne strains

Technology readiness level

The collection is currently at an early research stage. Initial isolation and identification of 300 strains is complete, with confirmation that isolates survive in soil and as maize root endophytes. Future validation is planned over approximately one year to determine systemic colonization, seed persistence, shelf-life characteristics, and seedling transfer capability. The research team seeks support for tissue testing, whole genome sequencing of candidates, and key personnel funding to advance these studies toward potential agricultural applications.