Empowering Innovation: Our Commitment to Research Excellence
As the cornerstone of our purpose, we are dedicated to empowering researchers to make pivotal enhancements to different crops, benefiting both growers and consumers. We eagerly welcome larger collaborations and diverse research projects, remaining receptive to exploring different genotypes and developmental pathways to further advance the field.
Cowpea
Cowpea Transformation
The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center offers cowpea transformation services utilizing IT-86 variety currently, with the possibility of other cowpea varieties coming online in the future.
We have licensed some technologies from private companies to allow us flexibility in offering various techniques to perform these services for academic/non-profit entities.
Our process uses a mature embryo for transformation which reduces the overall time to 6-8 months from start to T1 seed harvest. This direct shooting method also virtually eliminates any somoclonal variation seen with other types of callus based systems. We also offer complete vector cloning services to quickly design and construct your vector to ensure quality and compatibility with our system.
Hemp
Our Historical Evolution of Hemp
The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center began researching cannabis/hemp in 2017 and became the first entity in the world to successfully, and heritably, genetically engineer the species in 2018. Our first engineered event contained the td-Tomato fluorescent marker as “proof of concept”, T1 progeny shown in the photo to the right.
Advancing Innovation Since 2018: Explore Our Research Events
Since 2018 we have created over 500 events for internal research and private company projects. Our internal research covers areas in fiber quality, cannabinoid pathway modifications, disease resistance, terpenes, therapeutics, nutrition, and yield.
Innovative Engineering Services: Transforming Growth
We offer fee for service engineering for both private and public entities (See pricing page). Our patented transformation process uses a meristem-based approach and typically takes about 8 months from transformation initiation to harvested seed. Our system is genotype flexible, however generally we use an internally developed, high CBD, low THC, Type III genotype called ”Badger”.
Hemp in the News:
Click here for BADGER genotypes seed sourcing and information:
For Badger genotype sequence info and file: Available soon
Maize
Maize Transformation
The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center offers agrobacterium mediated maize transformation and gene editing services for the elite inbred LH244 variety released from PVP by Bayer.
Timeline of Maize Transformation
These systems generally take approximately 6-9 months from start to harvest of T1 seeds.
Bulked LH244 is also available for purchase in small quantities if needed for research or control use.
Sorghum
Sorghum Transformation
Sorghum transformation services are offered using the sorghum RTx430 genotype. Our standard protocol uses immature embryos and agrobacterium techniques.
Timeline of Sorghum Transformation
Our systems typically require 6-9 months from start to harvest of T1 seeds. Additionally, methods to transform additional sorghum genotypes are in development and can be prioritized based on customer interest.
Soybean
Soybean Transformation
The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center provides soybean transformation and gene editing services across multiple genotypes, including Williams82, IL3613N, IL3025N, and more. All these genotypes fall within the mid to late maturity group 3. You can find agronomic data for these IL varieties in the Soybeans in Illinois – Variety Testing.
Collaborating for Premium
Williams82 Seeds
We collaborated with Robert Stupar at the University of Minnesota to obtain high-quality single-seed descent Williams82 seeds, which we then bulked to establish a premium Williams82 seed source at WCIC.
Adaptable Transformation Solutions:
Serving Academic and Private Sectors
We have licensed technologies from private companies to provide flexibility in offering a range of transformation techniques for academic and non-profit institutions. These transformation services are also available to private-sector clients.
Our process uses a mature embryo for transformation which reduces the overall time to 6-8 months from start to T1 seed harvest (patented). This direct shooting method also virtually eliminates any somoclonal variation seen with other types of callus-based systems. We also offer complete vector cloning services to quickly design and construct your vector to ensure quality and compatibility with our system.
