Innovations in plant genomics are helping breeders develop crops that thrive under extreme conditions. Genetic discoveries for heat tolerance, drought resistance and pest pressure are fast becoming essential for realizing real-world productivity gains.
Why is PlantArcBio’s genomics-driven trait discovery critical for developing resilient, high-performing crops?
PlantArcBio, an ag-biotech company, is advancing these breakthroughs with cutting-edge technologies for two major needs in modern agriculture: higher-performing crops and more sustainable pest control.
To support these goals, PlantArcBio developed proprietary high-throughput platforms, DIP
TM and DIPPER
TM, that discover and develop genes and gene elements that enhance positive traits in plants. The company focuses on translating these discoveries into partner-ready assets, licensing traits to seed companies. It also collaborates with crop protection companies to develop targeted RNAi-based biological pest-control solutions.
What differentiates PlantArcBio’s proprietary platforms in plant gene discovery and development?
“Our platforms uncover previously unknown genes directly in plants, enabling the development of desired traits and creating higher performing, more resilient crops,” says Limor Davidson Mund, VP business development of PlantArcBio.
Rather than relying on existing data or computational predictions, DIP
TM analyzes millions of novel genes in living plants. This enables the discovery of new targets for developing higher-yield crops. By sourcing genes from their natural environments, where they have evolved under real stresses and interactions, and validating their performance directly in plants, DIP
TM helps identify genes that genuinely influence essential traits. Once identified and validated, the gene for the desired trait is handed over to the partners for integration into their existing crops.
What real-world results demonstrate the performance impact of PlantArcBio’s gene discovery platforms?
Real-world scenarios where PlantArcBio’s genes have proven to be a game-changer are plenty. For instance, Rallis India, an agrochemical and seed company, and part of the Tata Group, added a single drought-resistance gene to their corn plant and saw yields increase by more than 500 percent under drought conditions. Even under normal circumstances, the yields were roughly 200 percent higher.
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Our platforms uncover previously unknown genes directly in plants, enabling the development of desired traits and creating higher performing, more resilient crops.
Building on the success of DIP
TM, PlantArcBio developed the DIPPER
TM platform for gene editing. Rather than focusing on gene deletion or “knockout”, the platform identifies precise gene edits that improve how a gene functions or is expressed, resulting in enhanced crop performance without introducing foreign DNA.
DIPPER
TM discovers the optimal gene editing targets for increasing gene expression or improving gene function, enabling traits like disease resistance, herbicide tolerance, nutritional improvement, and enhanced climate resilience. Genome-editing technologies like CRISPR are then used to perform the actual change in the target crop.
Through DIP
TM and DIPPER
TM, PlantArcBio delivers a robust dual strategy for enhancing crop development. Partners can leverage either platform to pursue targeted improvements via novel genes or gene-edited enhancements with native gene optimization.
What approaches does PlantArcBio use to deliver sustainable, non-GMO pest control solutions?
PlantArcBio is also a pioneer in the development of tailored non-GMO biological solutions based on RNA interference (RNAi) for crop protection. RNAi targets a specific mRNA molecule in a pest and temporarily silences an essential gene, thus controlling the pest. Compared to chemical pesticides, RNAi-based solutions have a quick development-to-market timeline, are environmentally friendly and are fully degradable.
Partnerships with high-profile clients highlight the effectiveness of PlantArcBio's RNAi development. One such instance is its joint R&D effort with Tropical Melhoramento e Genética (TMG), Brazil’s leading cotton company. The initiative is aimed at discovering novel molecules and deploying innovative technologies for cotton boll weevil pest management.
Another key collaboration involves developing solutions with Gadot-Agro, a leading supplier of agro products in Israel, to tackle Red Palm Weevil infestation in palm trees. In this case, the RNAi is injected into the palm tree trunks either as preventive or curative treatment with very high successful rates.
PlantArcBio continues to explore strategic partnerships while navigating diverse regulatory requirements and upholding rigorous scientific standards. Together, these initiatives advance its mission to strengthen global food security and support farmers in meeting the rising demands of sustainable agriculture. This commitment has earned it the recognition of the Top Agriculture Gene Discovery and RNAi-based Technology in Latin America.