Amfora’s High-Pro technology is based on controlling the expression of a specific gene that is present in all plants. “By regulating the activity of a particular genetic switch called a transcription factor, we change the balance between protein and carbohydrates in crop plants, increasing the nutritional value of crops at the expense of empty calories,” said Mike Lassner, Chief Science Officer of Amfora.
Since the mechanism for increasing protein content is present in all crops, Amfora has plans to enhance the nutritional density of crops that are the foundations of the diet for the developed and developing world. Amfora will exploit this technology to develop High-Pro feed crops including soy and alfalfa, and High-Pro staple food crops including wheat and rice.