Available Technologies

Michigan State University’s invention provides a gene and method to increase oil production in plants. The wri1 gene is a transcription factor that turns on genes involved in oil production, causing the plant to increase oil production. Expression of the wri1 gene in plant parts such as leaves and stems causes these tissues to accumulate oil. Such plants may be useful as alternative biofuel crops or as forage crops with increased caloric density. Tissue specific promoters may be used to direct increased oil production in desired plant tissues.

* Increases seed oil content: Seed oil content may be increased by up to 10 percent through use of the wri1 gene.

* Stackable: May be used with other transgenic trait genes since other plant structures and functions are not altered by over-expression of the wri1 gene. May be combined with other oil-production genes to attain additive or synergistic effects on oil production.

* Creates new high-calorie-density forage crops: Accumulation of oil in plant leaves and stems increases the calorie content of forage crops. This may improve weight gain and productivity of livestock that are fed the improved forage.

* New biofuel crops: Per-acre oil production is a major performance attribute of biofuel crops. This technology may be used to create plants that accumulate oil in their leaves and stems, which may greatly increase the amount of oil produced per acre. Increased seed oil content is also beneficial for biofuel production.