Fragaria ananassa Duch. (Strawberry) Transformation

Yes. Octoploid cultivated strawberry is the focus of this service. Our workflows are designed around its genome structure, including guide design against homoeologous copies and sequencing-based mutation interpretation. The main practical variable is cultivar regeneration behavior, which we assess during project setup so that expectations on yield and timeline are realistic from the outset.

We maintain established protocols for widely used host cultivars such as Benihoppe (Akihime). For customer-specified or proprietary cultivars, we recommend a pilot feasibility phase to evaluate explant response, selection sensitivity, and regeneration before full-scale work. This avoids committing a full project budget to a genotype with unknown tissue-culture behavior and gives both sides a data-based foundation for the main contract.

We first identify the copy number and sequence similarity of the target across subgenomes, then design sgRNAs against conserved regions shared by the copies that must be disrupted. Where complete knockout of all copies is required, multiple guides may be combined. Because partial editing of a subset of alleles can produce subtle or no phenotype, we emphasize allele-aware mutation screening by sequencing so the genotype—and its likely functional outcome—is understood rather than assumed.

A transgene-positive plant carries the introduced cassette (for example, Cas9 and sgRNA) detectable by PCR, but the target gene itself may be unmodified. Successful editing means the intended mutation—insertion, deletion, or substitution—has been confirmed at the target locus, typically by sequencing. Our reports distinguish these outcomes explicitly, so customers know exactly which plants carry which molecular result and can plan downstream analyses or crosses accordingly.

Where feasible, yes. After Agrobacterium-mediated editing, segregation in the T1 generation can yield plants that retain the mutation but lack the CRISPR cassette, and we screen candidates by PCR and sequencing. DNA-free routes such as RNP delivery may also be evaluated depending on cultivar and regeneration compatibility. Because feasibility varies by genotype and target, we assess transgene-free options during project design rather than promising them unconditionally.

Customers may supply mature seed, sterile plantlets, or young leaf explants, together with the cultivar name and any available genotype information. You may also provide your own binary vector, plasmid, or Agrobacterium strain, or request our vector construction service. Clear construct maps and material histories help us avoid delays during project entry and are requested in our sample guidelines.

Strawberry regeneration is the main bottleneck. From confirmed vector to T0 plantlets, most projects require roughly five to eight months; obtaining and characterizing T1 seed adds several more months. Cultivar responsiveness, target locus, and editing complexity all influence the schedule, so we provide a project-specific timeline after reviewing your material and objectives.