A Colorado cannabis genetics company is researching target sequencing to accelerate breeding.
Today, Longmont-based Trilogene announced the validation stage of its advanced cannabis research.
Trilogene is developing a next-generation sequencing (NGS) solution to improve cannabis genetics.
The company says its goal is accurately targeting specific genes and accelerating commercial cannabis cultivation.
According to Trilogene, cannabis’ male-female reproduction orientation contributes to high genetic variability.
Trilogene says the variability complicates cultivation and consumes time and money, forcing the industry to use cloning techniques.
The result, according to Trilogene, is the rapid spread of pests and diseases in commercial facilities and reduced genetic diversity.
Trilogene Lead Geneticist Oussama Badad says genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenetics developed over the past decade should benefit cannabis.
“When it comes to genetic improvement, cannabis should be treated as corn or soybeans,” says Badad. “Universities and private sectors all over the world have conducted genomic research on these crops to get to the yield numbers we observe today, and with the new legislation about cannabis research, it is time for the cannabis research to align with other Ag commodities.”
Trilogene says its advanced target sequencing validation phase uses DNA hybridization to gather data on 120 cannabis genes of interest.
Genes include those related to cannabinoids, terpenoids, fatty acids, seed proteins, and bast fiber.
Founder Matt Haddad says Trilogene’s work will allow breeders to make decisions early in their breeding programs.
According to Haddad, breeders will not need to grow, flower, dry, and phenotype to stabilize varieties.
“We are committed to accelerating the development of this complex plant and will continue to push research forward at our new genomics lab in Illinois,” says Haddad. “This opportunity at SIU’s (Saluki Innovation Lab) innovation center will allow us to lean on university expertise and infrastructure to accelerate our genetic development projects.”