(November 2023) – The collaboration will explore the implementation of Computomics’ machine learning technology, ⨉SeedScore®, with datasets from 2Blades’ gene discovery platform, NLRseek,to enhance the discovery and use of resistance genes across crops and pathogens.
2Blades and Computomics have launched a pilot project to advance predictive Artificial Intelligence (AI) models that can enhance the effectiveness and throughput of disease and pest-resistant trait discovery across crop species. Trained with data from 2Blades’ proprietary resistance gene discovery platform, NLRseek, the models will utilize Computomics’ proprietary machine learning technology, ⨉SeedScore®, in the in silico analysis and characterization of resistance genes across crops and pathogens. By combining these platforms, the two organizations hope to revolutionize the gene identification and validation process, and vastly speed up the delivery of crop solutions into the hands of commercial and smallholder farmers.
“Pathogen resistance is of immense importance for all crops. We are excited to collaborate with 2Blades to help identify functional resistance genes and create a major impact in agriculture“, says Dr. Sebastian J Schultheiss, Managing Director of Computomics.
“The NLRseek platform is proving to be a quantum leap in the identification of naturally-occurring resistance genes from diverse plants; when transferred into crops, such genes provide protection from the most intractable and damaging pests and pathogens. Partnering with Computomics is an exciting opportunity to make the existing NLRseekTM process smarter, more effective, and more adaptable for agriculture,” stated 2Blades Business Development Manager, Apolonio Huerta.
NLRseek derives its name from one of the primary branches of the plant immune system, Nucleotide-binding Leucine-rich Repeat (NLR) receptor proteins. Plant NLRs are critical for ensuring strong resistance to crop pathogens, but existing approaches for identifying NLR genes that are functional in the field, such as map-based cloning or mutagenesis, are labor intensive and require substantial sequencing investment and bioinformatic expertise. 2Blades proprietary NLRseek platform has proven to dramatically reduce the time, resources, and effort required to find functional resistance genes, paving the way for the accelerated deployment of disease resistant crops needed by farmers today.
ABOUT 2BLADES
2Blades is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the discovery, advancement, and delivery of environmentally responsible, long-lasting solutions to crop disease by merging cutting-edge science discovery with delivery in the field. 2Blades establishes and manages development programs addressing significant unsolved crop disease problems in collaboration with leading research institutions around the world and manages a portfolio of specific traits and enabling technologies that it implements in its own programs and out-licenses for broad use. 2Blades is headquartered in Evanston, IL, with research labs in Norwich, UK and St. Paul, MN, and offices in Chapel Hill, NC and Zurich, Switzerland.
ABOUT COMPUTOMICS
Computomics applies AI to bioinformatics data to enable rapid understanding of genomics and drive advanced agriculture solutions. Computomics is a team of world-leading experts in machine learning, plant research and bioinformatics, who use data to unlock the diversity of biological life. In over 190 projects, Computomics enabled customers to make data-driven decisions and thereby accelerate sustainable agricultural development that can feed the world. Computomics’ interpretable machine learning technology enables rapid understanding of genomic data for plant breeding, agricultural biotech, and microbiome researchers. To learn more about Computomics, please visit computomics.com or follow Computomics on Twitter at twitter.com/Computomics or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/computomics-gmbh.
