Climate change and food insecurity are among the most urgent global challenges. Plants offer a direct biological solution to both, through their ability to fix carbon and serve as the basis of agricultural systems. However, the tools available for engineering plants remain limited. While progress has been made in molecular breeding and genetic modification, the capacity to systematically design and build plant genomes lags far behind what has been achieved in microbial systems.
This gap is particularly evident at the level of genome-scale engineering. The complexity and slow growth of plants hinder the development of rapid design, build and test cycles. Nonetheless, plants contain chloroplasts, organelles with small genomes and bacterial-like expression systems, which provide a more accessible entry point for synthetic biology. Chloroplasts can be transformed with high efficiency in some plant species and are naturally contained through maternal inheritance. These properties make them a uniquely suitable platform for the development of programmable, biocontained genetic systems in plants.
The ArtPlast project aims to create the first synthetic chloroplast genome in a land plant, Nicotiana tabacum. This genome will feature a compressed and reprogrammed genetic code, allowing the introduction of new functions and creating a platform for future applications in plant biotechnology. The project pursues three main objectives: (1) the in silico design and in vivo synthesis of artificial chloroplast genomes with novel genetic codes, (2) the development of strategies to test and improve genome designs in plants, and (3) the hierarchical assembly and biological characterisation of full synthetic genomes.
By enabling full chloroplast genome synthesis, ArtPlast will allow for the design of new traits that go beyond what is possible with conventional genetic engineering. These include enhanced photosynthesis, the production of high-value biomolecules, and the establishment of genetic firewalls that limit horizontal gene transfer. The project will also generate detailed insights into the design rules and functional constraints of the chloroplast genome.
The expected impact of ArtPlast is significant. Technologically, it will establish a platform for genome-level engineering in plants. Scientifically, it will provide new understanding of chloroplast biology. Strategically, it will contribute to the European Union’s efforts to support green innovation, sustainable agriculture and food security. All results will be shared openly, and public engagement activities will ensure broad societal dialogue around the opportunities and challenges of plant synthetic biology.
