Live Challenges
Targeted Insertion Technologies for Large DNA Fragments
Closing Date: January 31, 2025
“Our ambition is to efficiently integrate large DNA fragments into specific genomic locations. By making trait expression and trait introgression paths more predictable, targeted insertion will accelerate R&D, delivering more innovative solutions to farmers, faster.”
Brenden Barco, Senior Scientist, Crop Trait and Technology Discovery, Syngenta
Background
Syngenta is seeking technologies capable of precisely inserting a DNA fragment into plant genomes. Solutions with carrying capacity for cargo greater than 10 kilobase (kb) are of particular interest, as well as techniques that improve insertion efficiency.
As a leader in agricultural technologies, Syngenta employs science-based innovations that can transform food security and sustainability. Syngenta scientists are seeking novel or reimagined technologies capable of inserting a DNA fragment >10kb into a genome. Ideal solutions will have insertion efficiency equivalent to or exceeding that of Cre-Lox recombinase technology to support more effective genetic transformation and editing.
Solutions must be tested in eukaryotes, come from a known source organism or synthetic system, and must not be mammalian or human pathogen derived. Early-stage research is also of interest, particularly with in vivo data to support efficacy in eukaryotes. Syngenta is open to various partnership types, including joint research & development and technology licensing.
Ideal submissions will include an overview or reference to the methodology used for data collection, particularly molecular analysis.
What we're looking for
- Can carry and insert cargo size >10kb into a genome
- Known source organism or synthetic system, must not be mammalian or human pathogen-derived
- Tested in wet lab (not in silico only), in eukaryotic or transient plant systems
- Low/no toxicity in test organism
- Unidirectional insertion
- Tested in a stable plant system
- Amenable with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
- Insertion efficiency equivalent or better than Cre-Lox recombinase
- No scarring
- Limited off-target outcomes
What we can offer you
Work with us to help feed the world
Our people are specialists: they are innovators, scientists, engineers, technologists, regulatory experts and data scientists in multiple fields.