Seeking Innovations for Altering Chromosomal Recombination in Crop Plants

Bayer Crop Science is seeking innovative solutions to alter chromosomal recombination frequency to drive variation in crop plants. Solutions that may be temporal or heritable and impact general recombination frequency or site-specific recombination frequency are of high interest. 

Approaches of Interest:

• Technologies that increase general recombination frequency 
• Technologies that can be switched on or off to modulate recombination rates under defined conditions 
• A broad range of solution types, including genome editing, transgenesis, native genetic variation and chemical or environmental treatments
• Platform technologies for the efficient detection of rare recombination events are of interest but must be paired with methods that alter recombination frequency 
• Proof-of-concept demonstrated in model plant systems, with readiness for translation to crop plants 

Out of Scope:

• Technology innovations outside of plants without evidence of translation to plants (e.g. mammalian chromosomal recombination modification technology) 
• Platforms for efficiently detecting or screening rare recombination events that are not paired with a method to affect recombination frequency 

Developmental Stages of Interest:

• Basic research through to market is of interest, provided there is proof-of-concept 
• Novel and innovative approaches are of highest interest 

Submission Information

Bayer Crop Science invites applications from both academic institutions and industry organizations and welcomes proposals based on both existing technologies or methods and novel approaches. Applicants should complete the submission form which should contain a brief, non‑confidential overview of your proposal, demonstrating how the RFP requirements are satisfied by your approach. Proposals should outline the resources required to solve the problem. To submit your proposal, please visit our website, register, and submit your application form under the appropriate Connect campaign 

Opportunity for Collaboration

Our client is open to a range of collaboration opportunities, with the most appropriate outcome being decided on a case-by-case basis. Example outcomes include licensing assets, project/PhD funding, and research collaborations.