Camena Bioscience and Constructive Bio join synthetic biology collaboration to develop plant genomics

Constructive Bio is contributing its unique large-scale genome assembly platform for a major new initiative to develop a universal synthetic chloroplast genome designed to function across multiple plant species. The project aims to include features such as genetic code expansion and genetic isolation, creating a firewall between synthetic and natural chloroplasts, capabilities only possible through complete genome synthesis.

Credit Camena Bioscience

A key focus of the initiative is speed and scalability: establishing the fastest model system to build a chloroplast genome, developing robust assembly methods, and ultimately enabling the efficient transfer of synthetic chloroplasts into crops of agronomic importance.

A key focus of the initiative is speed and scalability: establishing the fastest model system to build a chloroplast genome, developing robust assembly methods, and ultimately enabling the efficient transfer of synthetic chloroplasts into crops of agronomic importance.

Constructive Bio joined the collaboration to help address one of the project’s main technical challenges: assembling large, complex synthetic DNA fragments into a complete chloroplast genome. Working with Camena Bioscience, which provides advanced enzymatic DNA synthesis, Constructive Bio’s platform enables rapid, high-fidelity assembly at the scale needed for fully synthetic chloroplast genomes.

The project is supported by £9.1m in funding from ARIA, the UK’s Advanced Research + Invention Agency.

Read more about the project here