The company Madeinplant, a startup incubated by AgrotecUV, is leading this project on the genetic improvement of strategic crops in the Valencia Region using CRISPR-CAS technology, in which the University of Alicante (UA), ANECOOP and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) are participating. Called Characterisation, optimisation and validation of new Cas proteins for the genetic improvement of strategic crops in the Valencia Region, the project has been funded by the Valencian Innovation Agency (IVACE+i Innovation) with 495,347 euros.
The main objective is the characterization and validation of new Cas proteins, used as molecular tools in plant genetic editing. The commitment to CRISPR-Cas technologies has a direct impact on agricultural sustainability, sector competitiveness and the generation of cutting-edge technological knowledge in the Valencia region. These technologies will improve strategic crops in the Valencian Community, such as Valencian tomatoes and citrus fruits, to make them more resistant to drought and other adverse conditions, in a context of climate change and sustainable agricultural demand.
These technologies will improve strategic crops in the Valencia region, such as Valencian tomatoes and citrus fruits, to make them more resistant to drought and other adverse conditions, in a context of climate change and sustainable agricultural demand
This is a pioneering initiative in plant biotechnology that seeks to develop innovative tools to strengthen the Valencian agricultural sector and will be developed through a consortium, led by Madeinplant, S.L. and formed by leading research entities and companies in the agri-food sector, such as ANECOOP S. COOP., a leader in agricultural marketing and development, the pioneer group in CRISPR led by UA professor Francisco J.M. Mojica, and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV).
This innovative project is funded by the Valencian Innovation Agency (IVACE+i Innovación), as part of its aid programme for strengthening and developing the Valencian Innovation System to improve the production model, and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme Comunitat Valenciana 2021-2027.
The consortium points out that this initiative "represents a milestone in the genetic improvement of crops by integrating advanced science with the specific needs of the Valencian agri-food sector". The first meeting of the consortium was held at the University of Alicante on 16 December.
Source: University of Alicante
Madeinplant’s participation in the last edition of the open innovation programme Innotransfer at PCUV is revived