I-Corps: Platform for Improving Biolistic Delivery to Plant Cells

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种新设备，该设备可以帮助广泛推进基因功能研究、作物育种和以植物为基础的新产品的开发。这项技术可能会在农业、能源和环境科学等领域产生积极影响。将脱氧核糖核酸和蛋白质导入植物细胞的效率提高，可能会增加没有转基因(外源基因(S))的转基因作物的产量，从而提供一种在全球范围内受联邦法规限制要少得多的产品。除了能源和环境挑战外，这项技术还可以帮助生产更多和更好的能源相关生物咖啡，从而帮助解决粮食不安全问题。这个i-Corps项目基于一个平台的开发，该平台可以在有效性和一致性方面改善目前的生物递送系统。这种跨学科的方法可能有助于为植物基因编辑领域建立一个高影响力的技术平台。最初的生物装置基因枪是在30多年前设计的。这项技术是一种直接连接到当前设备上的技术，它可以改变颗粒向组织的流动和轨迹。通过精心设计我们设备的几何形状，我们可以通过优化空气动力流动并在植物组织上产生更集中甚至更均匀的压力来显著提高输送效率。我们的初步数据显示，洋葱表皮细胞的DNA递送效率提高了20倍。此外，我们的设计可以使用三维打印技术进行快速修改，以适应不同物种不同几何形状的植物组织。此外，该设备揭示了鲜为人知的生物系统，使进一步研究基因枪如何工作可以提高对整个生物系统的理解。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of a new device that can help broadly advance gene functional studies, crop breeding and the development of novel plant-based products. The technology could produce positive impacts in sectors including agriculture, energy, and environmental science. The improved efficiency of DNA and protein delivery into plant cells can potentially increase the production of genetically modified crops without transgene (foreign gene(s)), providing a product that is much less restricted by federal regulations globally. The technology could help address food insecurity in addition to energy and environmental challenges by helping produce more and better energy related biocrops.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a platform that can improve the current biolistic delivery system in terms of efficacy and consistency. The interdisciplinary approach could help build a high-impact technology platform for the field of plant gene editing. The original biolistic device, gene gun, was designed more than 30 years ago. This technology is a straightforward attachment to the current device, which can alter the flow and trajectory of the particles towards the tissue. By carefully designing the geometry of our device, we can significantly increase the delivery efficacy by optimizing the aerodynamic flow and creating more focused and even pressure on the plant tissue. Our preliminary data has shown 20x increase in DNA delivery efficiency to onion epidermis cells. In addition, our design can be quickly modified using three-dimensional printing technology to accommodate plant tissues of different species with different geometries. Furthermore, this device has shed light into the poorly understood biolistic system, enabling further research into how the gene gun works could improve understanding of the entire biolistic system.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.