Nitrogen-fixing azospirillum strain libraries from cereal crops for agricultural biotechnology
A curated library of over 40 nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum strains isolated from rice, corn, and wheat fields. These non-pathogenic, fast-growing bacteria offer a valuable genetic resource for synthetic biology applications aimed at improving crop nitrogen fixation and reducing fertilizer dependence.
Overview
This offering provides access to a comprehensive library of nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum bacterial strains isolated from major cereal crops including rice, corn, and wheat. The collection contains more than 40 strains sourced from rice fields, with ongoing expansion to include isolates from corn and wheat fields in Minnesota. These bacteria naturally associate with cereal crops and contribute fixed nitrogen to their host plants, making them valuable for agricultural biotechnology and synthetic biology applications aimed at reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Over 40 nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum strains isolated from rice fields
- Genomes of 10 representative strains have been sequenced
- All strains confirmed to fix nitrogen via the acetylene reduction method
- nifH nitrogen-fixation genes identified in all strains
- Ongoing isolation of additional strains from corn and wheat fields (both soil and plant sources)
- Non-pathogenic, easy-to-handle, and fast-growing bacteria
- Suitable as a genetic resource for synthetic biology applications in crop improvement
Technology readiness level
The strain library is well-characterized with confirmed nitrogen-fixation capabilities and sequenced genomes for representative strains. The collection is actively expanding with new isolates from additional cereal crops. The strains are ready for use in research collaborations and synthetic biology development, with ongoing validation of newly isolated strains from corn and wheat fields to further broaden the library's applicability across major cereal crops.
About University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is a flagship, comprehensive public research university spanning multiple campuses, with a large research enterprise and clinical integration. Industry engages through co-located labs on the Twin Cities campuses, access to an academic health system for clinical translation, and pilot and field-testing facilities that speed scale-up. A statewide extension network and outreach centers provide real-world sites and data partnerships across Minnesota, while proximity to a dense medtech and Fortune 500 corridor enables frequent collaboration. Research is supported by competitive federal funding, including NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA, and DoD. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, sponsored research agreements, and startup incubation to speed commercialization.
delivered to your inbox.