2021
Gene Editing to Increase Soy Protein Content
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
(none assigned)
Lead Principal Investigator:
Michael Lassner, Amfora Inc.
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
2120-152-0101
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
$750,000
Brief Project Summary:
Unique Keywords:
#seed composition
Information And Results
Project Summary

Project Objectives

Project Deliverables

Progress Of Work

Update:
Amfora made steady progress during the quarter. We completed harvest of nearly 10,000 T2 and T3 lines from our gene editing program to increase the protein content of soy. We analyzed the DNA sequence of a subset of lines and found multiple lines with edits consistent with our CRISPR experimental design. Previous analysis of T2 seeds showed increased protein content related to deletions in the NF-YC4 promoter. We expect to confirm those results and undertake more detailed analyses of the Summer 2020 Iowa harvest over the upcoming quarter.

Update:
Amfora made progress on the commercial front during the quarter. We are in process of making meal and texturized protein from 1,000 lbs of our AMFUHP101, a variety that yields soy meal with 64-65% protein. This meal will be used for functional studies in plant-based meat applications and aquaculture feed applications.

Molecular and composition analysis of our most advanced gene edited lines suggest some watch outs, and we may have to fall back to our next generation of gene edited lines. We have increased resources on next generation editing to minimize the impact on our development timeline should we need to fall back to this next generation of edits.

Update:
Amfora continued to make both R&D and commercial progress during Q2 of 2021. We have supplied samples of soy meal and TVP to several potential plant-based meat customers, we initiated a new gene-editing project with Plastomics as a contract service provider, and we planted North America wide area trials to evaluate both our high and ultra-high protein germplasm as well as public and private germplasm available to license as base germplasm for our gene editing and soy breeding programs.

Final Project Results

Update:
Amfora continued to make both R&D and commercial progress during Q2 of 2021. Although we had a setback in advancing our first generation of gene edited soybean lines, we have aggressively advanced our second-generation program, including a publicly announced program with Plastomics.

Amfora continues to advance its commercial development progress by accessing high protein germplasm; initiating a soybean breeding effort; initiating wide area germplasm testing across the Midwest; producing tons of ultra-high protein soybean meal; initiating a food science program to demonstrate the utility of ultra-high protein soy in formulating plant-based meat; and initiating aquaculture feeding studies.

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.