Plants can be programmed like software, according to Cambridge University researchers aiming to revolutionize agriculture.
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Research could lead to more resilient and nutritious plants.
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One team aims to develop the world’s first artificial plant chromosome that can survive inside living plants.
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The second group aims to use synthetic chloroplasts to reduce reliance on nitrogen fertilizers, a major source of pollution.
Two groups of researchers at Cambridge University were awarded £7.5 million ($10 million) in grants to fast-track crop development and enhance plants with new qualities such as drought-tolerance or pest and disease resistance.
If successful, such technology could allow scientists to “program” plants with entirely new abilities. This could lead the way to more nutritious food, crops that survive heatwaves, or leaves that grow useful materials.
Breakthrough in plant biology
According to the researchers, the breakthrough would represent a “major leap” in plant biology and could revolutionize agriculture, helping to secure the global food supply amid a changing climate.
“We’re building the tools to make plants programmable, just like software. This isn’t science fiction – it’s the future of agriculture,” said Professor Jake Harris, project lead for one of the winning projects.
Professor Harris’ team was awarded £6.5 million to build the world’s first artificial plant chromosome capable of surviving inside living plants.
“We’re rethinking what plants can do for us. This synthetic chromosome could one day help grow crops that are more productive, more resilient, and better for the planet,” Harris said.
This could also open new possibilities for growing food and medicines in space, as well as for indoor agriculture.
Prospect of cleaner agriculture
The second group, led by Professor Alison Smith and Dr Paweł Mordaka, was awarded almost £1 million for a project aiming to use synthetic chloroplasts to enable plants to fix nitrogen and produce vitamin B12.
Reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers – one of the biggest sources of agricultural pollution – would support more sustainable food production systems.
“It will enable scientists to surpass what can be accomplished with gene editing and equip plants with new functions, from reducing agricultural water use to protecting crop yields in uncertain conditions,” Professor Smith said.
Both groups are part of international teams that include researchers from Australia, Germany, the UK, and the US. The funding was awarded through the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) under its Synthetic Plants programme.
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