Objective: USDA-ARS is currently looking for an industrial partner interested in engineering flowering plants that can produce more petals for commercial use.

Overview: ARS researchers have identified a plant-specific regulatory gene, called Ultrapetala (ULT), which controls the number of organs—mostly sepals and petals—in the flower. ULT is present in each Arabidopsis plant. A major function of the gene in its normal, active state seems to be to limit the number of organs flowers produce. When the ULT gene is inactivated in a plant, such as by mutation, the plant produces flowers with more sepals and petals. Fertility and vegetative growth are not affected. ARS researchers have found that the Ultrapetala gene is present in other plant species, including maize and soybean, suggesting that it may be possible to identify and inactivate this gene in many different horticultural varieties.

Industry Type: The ideal partner would have expertise in cloning, library screening, gene silencing, and the transformation and regeneration of commercially valuable flowering plant varieties.

Where: Pacific West Area; USDA-ARS Plant Gene Expression Center, Albany, California

Laboratory Mission: The mission of this Center is to conduct fundamental research in plant molecular biology. Research programs include heavy metal tolerance, disease resistance, light perception, ripening, vegetative growth, flower development and reproduction. Researchers identify, isolate, and determine function of essential genes. Scientists are also participating in an international effort to sequence plant genomes.

If your company is interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact our regional technology transfer coordinator:

Martha B. Steinbock
USDA-ARS
800 Buchanan Street
Albany, CA 94710
MBS@pw.usda.gov