Syngenta opens Gene Editing and Enabling Technology! Or will promote a variety of potential applications in the field of synthetic biology innovation

On June 9, 2024, Syngenta, one of the world's largest agricultural technology companies with a history of about 250 years and known as the "agrochemical carrier," announced that it will license selected gene editing and enabling technologies, breeding and seed production technologies for academic research worldwide. These technology licenses are available through its innovation collaboration platform, Shoots by Syngenta.

Syngenta will provide some of the intellectual property related to the optimized CRISPR-Cas12a and the gene-editing assisted breeding tool. Through CRISPR gene editing, improved plants can be delivered faster and more efficiently than natural or traditional breeding methods, and do not contain DNA from different species.

Syngenta's genome editing and enabling technologies and breeding technologies have a variety of potential applications in the field of synthetic biology, such as crop improvement, biopharmaceuticals, biofuels, environmental remediation, the food industry, biosensors, biomaterials, agricultural biotechnology, gene drive technology, synthetic ecology. These intellectual properties opened by Syngenta provide a powerful tool for the field of synthetic biology to help advance these applications and could lead to innovation in multiple fields, including agriculture, medicine, energy and the environment.

As a leader in this technological innovation, Syngenta scientists are constantly innovating to improve CRISPR-Cas gene editing technology. Syngenta scientists have engineered CRISPR Cas12a to significantly improve its efficiency and practicality, optimizing its function as a tool for crop improvement.

Gusui Wu, Head of Global seed research at Syngenta, said: "CRISPR technology has endless potential to advance crop innovation and create value for farmers. Expanding CRISPR technology in agriculture could transform the way we breed crops, accelerating the discovery and application of innovations that will provide growers with more productive and resilient crops. We are inviting universities and academic institutions from around the world to join us in promoting innovation and sustainable agriculture." .

The Shoots by Syngenta Global Innovation Collaboration Platform was established in 2023 to create partnerships to find solutions to the most complex challenges in food and agriculture. It brings together an external innovation ecosystem - including academics, research institutions and other entities - and Syngenta's network of more than 6,000 scientists worldwide to jointly develop solutions to mitigate climate change and enhance biodiversity.