The plastid factory

Objective

The project will demonstrate that the higher plant plastid genome can be modified in a safe and environmentally friendly way, to enable the plastid to be developed as a factory for the production of large amounts of recombinant protein, with applications in medical, veterinary agricultural and environmental arenas. It involves refinements in the procedures for genetic modification on the plastid genome, and broadening of the crop base for which plastid transformation protocols are available to include five crops of commercial importance within the community. We expect to show that the plastid factory can play a major part in the development of oral vaccination programmes for both humans and livestock, that it can provide plants capable of removing heavy metal contaminants from soil, reduce agrochemical usage, and contribute to improved tolerance to environmental stresses.

Fields of science

• medical and health sciences › medical biotechnology › genetic engineering
• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins
• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › agriculture
• agricultural sciences › animal and dairy science › domestic animals › animal husbandry
• natural sciences › biological sciences › genetics › genomes

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory"

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND - MAYNOOTH

Address

Co. Kildar
N/A Maynooth
Ireland

Participants (8)

COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE

France

Address

Rue De La Federation 31-33
75015 Paris

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY

Italy

Address

133,via Università 133 Parco Gussone
80055 Portici

RHOBIO

France

Address

14/20 Rue Pierre Baizet
69263 Lyon

RIJK ZWAAN ZAADTEELT EN ZAADHANDEL B.V .

Netherlands

Address

Burg. Crezeelaan 40
2678 ZG De Lier

THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

United Kingdom

Address

Trinity Lane, The Old Schools,
CB2 1TN Cambridge

THE PROVOST, FELLOWS AND SCHOLARS OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY AND UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN HEREINAFTER TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

Ireland

Address

Trinity College
2 Dublin

UNIVERSITE JOSEPH FOURIER - GRENOBLE 1

France

Address

Avenue Centrale 621
38041 Grenoble

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom

Address

University Park
NG7 2RD Nottingham

Links