Protein delivery platform for resolving complex T-DNA insertions in plants
UC Berkeley's proprietary platform transiently delivers active CRE proteins to plant cells, resolving complex T-DNA insertions into single-copy loci without genomic integration. This reduces unintended effects and improves genetic transformation efficiency.
Overview
UC Berkeley has developed an innovative protein delivery platform designed to enhance the efficiency of plant genetic transformation by resolving complex T-DNA insertions. Traditionally, the Agrobacterium T-DNA transfer system is limited by complex loci that can contain tandem or inverted repeats, leading to reduced gene expression. Our solution involves the transient delivery of active CRE recombinase proteins into plant cells, which excises these complex repeats, resolving them into single-copy loci. This approach avoids the need for genomic integration of CRE, minimizing unintended genetic effects and optimizing transformation outcomes.
Technical specifications
- Proprietary protein delivery platform: Facilitates transient delivery of active CRE proteins without the need for genomic integration.
- Site-specific recombination: Utilizes CRE recombinase to excise complex T-DNA loci and resolve them into single-copy insertions.
- Compatibility with existing pipelines: Can be applied in conjunction with Agrobacterium transformation methods.
- Flexibility across species: Capable of delivering various functional protein cargoes to different plant species.
- Efficiency optimization: Uses a peptide library to enhance delivery efficiency and reporter assays to quantify functional delivery.
Technology readiness level
This technology is at TRL 4, having been validated at the laboratory level. Future validation efforts will focus on pipeline integration, optimization across species, and further refinement of delivery methods to ensure high compatibility and efficiency.
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is a comprehensive public research university of global scale, known for cross‑disciplinary inquiry and a high‑intensity research culture. Industry engages on campus through shared user facilities, project‑based collaborations, and embedded innovation spaces, with proximity to a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory enabling joint programs and access to specialized instrumentation. Its Bay Area location connects partners to deep talent pipelines and a dense startup ecosystem, enabling rapid prototyping and iteration alongside regional suppliers and investors. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, and DARPA. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP, sponsored research, material transfer agreements, and startup formation, complemented by accelerators and proof‑of‑concept resources.
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