Wedoany.com Report on Mar 10th, Cytotrait, a biotechnology spin-out from the University of Manchester, UK, has recently successfully raised £3 million in seed funding to advance its research into novel genetic traits for crops, aiming to enhance food security and agricultural sustainability.
This funding round was led by Northern Gritstone, with participation from the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund managed by Future Planet Capital, and the Northern Universities Venture Fund co-managed by Parkwalk Advisors and Northern Gritstone.
The company plans to use the funds to further develop its proprietary Mutagenic Organelle Selection System (MOSS) technology and initiate new research projects aimed at improving the genetic traits of major crops.
The MOSS technology addresses a long-standing challenge in crop engineering by introducing genes and gene editing into the chloroplasts and mitochondria of plants, enabling genetic changes to occur in all organelles, thereby allowing for more precise expression of desired crop traits.
The funding will support exploring the application of this technology in key crops such as wheat, corn, potatoes, and rapeseed, with a focus on European and North American markets. The research will concentrate on increasing yields, enhancing stress resistance, and developing new food traits, while also promoting sustainable agricultural practices such as improved carbon sequestration.
Previously, Cytotrait received £498,000 in funding from the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) to develop its MOSS platform for hybrid wheat seed production.
The company was established with support from the University of Manchester Innovation Factory, the university's technology transfer office responsible for commercializing research through spin-outs and licensing.
Co-founder and Executive Director Junwei Ji stated: "The technology was developed to address global challenges related to food security and sustainable agriculture by creating crops with higher productivity and lower environmental impact."
Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: "This investment reflects the strong innovation emerging from universities in the North of England and expresses confidence in Cytotrait's research and development program."
