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Markus Mainka\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
US CONFECTIONARY giant Mars is using novel gene-editing tools to research how to future-proof cacao production.<\/p>\n
Mars, the maker of Snickers, M&Ms, and the Mars Bar, has licensed CRISPR gene-editing technology from UK-based agtech firm Pairwise. The Durham company is leveraging gene editing and artificial intelligence to finetune plant traits for improved resilience to climate stress and disease.<\/p>\n
Mars has made significant investments in enhancing its core food crops, including a recent US$5m commitment to genomic research aimed at improving peanut production. The company says it is working with a number of universities, including the University of California Berkeley, to look into the benefits of gene editing and CRISPR for cacao, peanuts, maize and mint.<\/p>\n
On the new venture, Carl Jones, the plant sciences director at Mars, said: \u201cAt Mars, we believe CRISPR has the potential to improve crops in ways that support and strengthen global supply chains.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201dOur focus is to transparently and responsibly conduct CRISPR research in plant science that helps crops better adapt to climate challenges, disease pressures and resource constraints.\u201d <\/p>\n
Resistant cacao<\/p>\n
Research into CRISPR applications for cacao has steadily expanded, with one early example dating back to 2018, when Penn State University used the gene-editing tool to modify the DNA of Theobroma cacao \u2013 the species commonly used to make chocolate \u2013 to enhance its resistance to pathogens.<\/p>\n