Cytotrait

Cytotrait is a biotechnology company focussed on the development of novel traits for food and agriculture. Its proprietary technology, termed MOSS (‘Mutant Organelle Selection System’), enables the introduction of genes and gene edits into organelles, both chloroplasts and mitochondria, in a way that quickly generates homoplasmy – that is every organelle of a cell or plant contains the desired gene or edit.

This game-changing approach allows the engineering of traits with localized and high-level expression – many thousand copies of the gene per cell – offering the prospect of reduced transgene phytotoxicity, easier backcrossing and trait stacking, efficient containment and an easier regulatory route. The technology is equally applicable to the editing of endogenous genes and to the introduction of transgenes.

Cytotrait’s technology has many potential applications not only for increased yield, pest and disease resistance and hybrid crop development but also the introduction of food traits. The advantages also include the potential of a significant 'carbon gain'.

With its seed financing in place, the Company has started development of enhanced traits in some major crop species offering very substantial commercial opportunities.