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Engineering the moss Physcomitrium patens to produce the monoterpene indole alkaloid strictosidine
This project aims to genetically engineer moss to make the molecule strictosidine. Strictosidine is a building block molecule upon which many important medicines are made, including cancer drugs, sedatives, and heart medications; together, these compounds are classified as monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIA). Current methods of making MIAs rely on extraction from plants such as Madagascar periwinkle, which make MIAs in very low amounts and can only grow in tropical locations. This has led to shortages of essential MIA medicines. The moss species Physcomitrium patens can be genetically engineered to make complex plant molecules and grown in enclosed bioreactors anywhere in the world. By making strictosidine in moss, we will be taking the first step in ensuring a secure supply of MIA-based medicines.
Faculty Supervisor:
Sherryl Bisgrove
Student:
Partner:
BryoSphere
Discipline:
Life Sciences
Sector:
Manufacturing
University:
Simon Fraser University
Program:
Accelerate
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Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.