바이오스펙테이터

바이오스펙테이터 Naeun Bong 기자

Acquired License of Genetic Editing Technology without the Introduction of Recombinant DNA from the Innopolis Foundation … “New Species of Non-GMO Crops is expected with the CRISPR PLUS Technology of

G+FLAS Life Science announced on the 15th that the company was appointed for the ‘2018 Projects to Support the Accomplishment of Science Belt’ hosted by the Innopolis Foundation, and received 2 licenses, including the ‘Methods of Highly Efficient Fabrication of Genetically Edited Plants from Protoplast of Plants’, with related technologies.

The technology of the license granted to G+FLAS Life Science enables genetic editing without the introduction of Recombinant DNA (DNA free) for the improvement of new crops. Thus, free from the safety issues of GMO, it is expected to enable the improvement of new crops.

The conventional technologies to develop new crops are broadly distinguished into the traditional breeding method and genetic recombinant technology based on the insertion of external genes. Cross-breeding between crops, using chemical substances or irradiation to cause mutation, or cell fusion of protoplast, are traditional methods that are employed for the improvement of new crops; however they require long-term methods of 5–10 years. The modifications of genes by the insertion of external genes are distinguished as GMO crops, and the safety of the crops remain doubtful. The multinational enterprises that are developing GMOs are now turning to the exploitation of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies for seed development, due to regulations based on the doubt of consumers over the safety of GMO products.

G+FLAS Life Science will exploit the DNA free new crop improvement technology, of which the license was granted for the development of new crops, such as tomato containing vitamin D, and lettuce etc. In addition, based on protein & sugar pattern correcting crops, the scope of development of biomedical products, including plant-based antibody drugs, vaccines, diagnosis systems, and dietary foods, will be expanded.

Choe Sunghwa, the president of G+FLAS Life Science, stated, “…the DNA free crop improvement technology will be combined with spontaneous CRISPR PLUS technology, to solidify the next generation crop development platform…”

President Choe Sunghwa contributed a paper in 2015 on the genetic editing of crops using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, entitled, “DNA-free Genome Editing in Plants with Preassembled Cas9 Ribonucleoproteins”, to the journal “Nature Biotechnology”.