Morphoseed
How It Works
Harnesses the power of bioelectric prepattern data to revolutionize the way plants are developed and customized
Discovery
Did you know that nature holds incredible secrets that can be harnessed to induce desirable traits in plants? Bioelectric signals have been found to play a role in regulating gene expression and cellular behaviors, including growth and development.
Just as the pioneers demonstrated the induction of an ectopic eye in the gut of a tadpole through bioelectric signals, we can apply a similar concept to plants.
mV
Frog eye cell cluster
Depolarized
Transmembrane potential measured in mV
Hyperpolarized
Normal eyes develop from embryo to tadpole stage
Normal eye organs resulting from gene expression
Bioelectric pattern of eyes appears before eye cell formation in the embryo.
Bioelectric patterns and normal eye development
Frog embryo
Standard development
Frog tadpole
During normal embryogenesis, hyperpolarization of cells destined to form eyes defines a specific cluster of cells in the embryo.
Frog embryo
The bioelectric pattern of eyes induced in the embryo triggers eye formation in the tadpole stage of the frog.
Bioelectric patterns and normal and induced eye development.
Bioelectric driven development
Normal and induced eyes develop from embryo to tadpole stage
Frog tadpole
Manipulating the bioelectric pattern of these cells can induce both malformed and well-formed ectopic eyes, resembling endogenous eyes.
Our Approach
Drawing inspiration from this experiment, we have developed a revolutionary approach to induce desirable traits in plants. Just as the tadpole's cells responded to the bioelectric signal and formed an eye, we can harness the power of bioelectric patterning, data and machine learning, to shape the growth, development, and traits of plants.
mV
Disk floret and Seed cell cluster
Depolarized
Resting membrane potential measured in mV
Hyperpolarized
Sunflower develops seeds
Normal disk florets and seeds resulting from gene expression
The bioelectric prepattern of disk florets and seeds appears during sunflower development.
Bioelectric patterns and normal plant development
Sunflower
Standard development
Sunflower seeds
During normal embryogenesis, a hyperpolarization of cells that will produce seeds demarcates a specific cluster of seed cells.
The bioelectric pattern of disk florets and seeds induced in the sunflower increases seed productivity.
Bioelectric patterns and customized plant development
Bioelectric driven development
Sunflower develops seeds
Sunflower seeds
Manipulating the bioelectric pattern of those cells induces new disk floret traits.
Sunflower
Relying on the incredible plasticity of living organisms, our method taps into the inherent bioelectric signaling within plants. By carefully manipulating the bioelectric patterns, we can guide the expression of genes associated with desirable traits, resulting in plants that possess remarkable characteristics.
Bioelectricity
-
Imaging reveals the bioelectric pattern of disc florets.
-
Ions flow across disc floret cell membranes.
-
Differences in membrane permeabilities for potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride ions result in resting potential distribution (voltage gradients)
Depolarized
Resting membrane potential measured in mV
Hyperpolarized
mV
Ray Florets Traits X
Ray Floret fluorescent imaging
Disc Florets Traits Y
Disc Floret fluorescent Imaging
Bioelectric pattern
Plants, like animals, possess intricate electrical networks that coordinate cellular processes, direct cell differentiation, and guide overall morphogenesis. Bioelectric signals serve as instructive cues, providing spatial and temporal information that guides cell behavior and influences developmental pathways.
Bioelectricity refers to the electrical signals and patterns that occur naturally within living organisms, including plants. While bioelectricity has long been recognized in the context of neural activity, recent discoveries have shed light on its critical role in plant development and growth.
Bioelectric patterns
These bioelectric patterns are generated by the movement of ions across cell membranes, creating voltage gradients and electrical currents within plant tissues. By sensing and responding to these electrical cues, cells can adjust their growth rates, establish proper tissue boundaries, and coordinate complex developmental processes.
Voltage gradients are intimately linked to various physiological processes and can influence desirable plant traits by regulating cell division, nutrient uptake, gene expression, stress responses, and other critical aspects of plant development.
Disk Florets Traits Zn
Size Z1
Size Z2
Size Z3
Size Y1
Size Y2
Size Y3
Disk Florets Traits Yn
Hyperpolarized
Depolarized
Harnessing and manipulating these bioelectric potentials provides an avenue for developing plants with various desired traits and improved performance.
Traits Y1
Traits Y2
Size X1 + Shape X1
Size X2 + Shape X2
Size X3 + Shape X3
Traits Z3
Traits Z1
Traits Z2
Traits Y3
Traits X1
Traits X2
Traits X3
Creating new plants
Ray Florets Traits Xn
Customized Plant
In the context of the Seed Breeding activities, bioelectric manipulation techniques can be used to influence the bioelectric signaling within the plant's cells, thereby affecting gene expression and epigenetic modifications.
The mechanism by which the target shape and traits of the desired plant are passed to the seed involves the combination of genetic information and epigenetic factors.
Bioelectric manipulation
CPDS Platform
Genetic Information
Genetic Information : The genetic information contained in the DNA of the plant's cells plays a fundamental role in determining the traits and characteristics of the plant.
This information is passed down from the parent plants to the seeds through sexual reproduction.
Gene Expression
Gene Expression : Gene expression refers to the process by which the information encoded in the DNA is used to produce functional molecules such as proteins.
Gene expression is regulated by various factors, including environmental cues and epigenetic modifications.
Specific genes that are responsible for shaping the plant's traits and characteristics need to be expressed in the appropriate manner.
Bioelectric Signalling
Bioelectric signaling : Bioelectric signaling refers to the electrical signals and patterns that occur within cells and tissues.
These signals are generated by ion channels and other electrical components present in cell membranes.
Bioelectric signals have been found to play a role in regulating gene expression and cellular behaviors, including growth and development.
Epigenetic Modification
Epigenetic modifications : Epigenetic modifications are heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence.
These modifications can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions and bioelectric signals.
Epigenetic modifications can play a crucial role in shaping the expression of specific genes and can be passed down from parent plants to seeds.
-
The genetic information contained in the DNA of the plant's cells plays a fundamental role in determining the traits and characteristics of the plant. This information is passed down from the parent plants to the seeds through sexual reproduction.
-
Gene expression refers to the process by which the information encoded in the DNA is used to produce functional molecules such as proteins. Gene expression is regulated by various factors, including environmental cues and epigenetic modifications. Specific genes that are responsible for shaping the plant's traits and characteristics need to be expressed in the appropriate manner.
-
Epigenetic modifications are heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence. These modifications can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions and bioelectric signals. Epigenetic modifications can play a crucial role in shaping the expression of specific genes and can be passed down from parent plants to seeds.
-
Bioelectric signaling refers to the electrical signals and patterns that occur within cells and tissues. These signals are generated by ion channels and other electrical components present in cell membranes. Bioelectric signals have been found to play a role in regulating gene expression and cellular behaviors, including growth and development.
The combination of genetic information, gene expression regulation, epigenetic modifications, and bioelectric signaling contribute to the transfer of the target shape and traits from the reference plants to the seeds.
By manipulating the bioelectric state of the cells, specific genes associated with the desired shape and traits can be activated or repressed, leading to the development of plants with the desired characteristics.
Ray Florets Traits X
By manipulating these factors using the "Custom Plant Development System," it is possible to shape the development of the seeds and ultimately produce plants with the desired traits and characteristics.
Harnessing Bioelectrics
Our Custom Plant Development System capitalizes on the understanding that bioelectric patterning plays a vital role in shaping plant phenotypes. By mining and analyzing extensive bioelectric prepattern databases, we can uncover the correlations between specific electrical signatures and desired plant traits.
Through the integration of genetic information, experimental conditions, and bioelectric patterns, our system provides you with the tools to customize plant development in unprecedented ways.
You can harness this knowledge to expedite breeding programs, enhance crop yields, or even engineer plants with unique characteristics for ecological restoration efforts.
CPDS Platform
Data Integration
Analytics
Databases
Core Engines
User Interface
Simulation
Knowledge Sharing
Industry Collaboration
Scalability & Flexibility
Continuous Learning
Iterative Development
With our user-friendly interface and comprehensive data analysis capabilities, you can explore, predict, and visualize the outcomes of different customizations, empowering you to make informed decisions and drive innovation in the field of plant development.
ABOUT MORPHOSEED
At Morphoseed, we are committed to revolutionizing agriculture through cutting-edge technologies that enhance soil fertility and optimize plant development. With a deep-rooted passion for sustainable farming and innovation, we are on a mission to empower farmers, seed producers, and the agriculture industry as a whole to meet the global demand for nutritious and environmentally responsible food production.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |  |