ARIA Synthetic Plants

ARIA sees a vital opportunity to unlock new plant capabilities that can meet the future needs of humankind.

The aim is to develop synthetic chromosomes and chloroplasts that are viable in a living plant. This will move beyond what can be accomplished with gene editing and imbue plants with new functionalities, from reducing agricultural water use to protecting crop yields in uncertain conditions.

Projects will be 100% funded.

Fund Details

This programme is split into five technical areas (TAs), each with its own distinct objectives.

1. Design, Build, Deliver: Focuses on developing multiple designs for units that deliver a simple plant trait.
2. Social and Ethical: Addresses the social and ethical considerations surrounding synthetic plant technologies, ensuring responsible development and application.
3. Maintain: Focuses on maintenance and replication of units within cells.
4. Species Transferability: Focuses on demonstrating units’ functionality in multiple crop species, including monocot and one dicot.
5. Trait Complexity: Focuses on successfully delivering agriculturally relevant complex traits using synthetic units.

Eligibility

Applications welcomed from across the R&D ecosystem, including individuals, universities, research institutions, small, medium and large companies, charities and public sector research organisations.