Novel herbicide discovery using functional allele cloning (FAC) technology
Discover novel herbicides using Functional Allele Cloning (FAC) technology to enable simultaneous discovery of small-molecule compounds and fungal proteins/enzymes. The approach uses diverse fungal DNA libraries for large-scale screening to identify new modes or sites of action for herbicides targeting grass weeds. Employing 2nd generation FAC supports upregulation of ~100 kb DNA fragments per well in filamentous fungi, with 96-well parallelization for compound and protein discovery.
Overview
Functional Allele Cloning (FAC) technology provides an approach to discovering novel herbicides by leveraging fungal small molecules and proteins/enzymes. The method is designed to identify novel modes or sites of action for herbicides targeting grass weeds. Using 2nd generation FAC, expression can be upregulated for approximately 100 kb DNA fragments within each well of a filamentous fungus genome. Screening is supported by more than 20 FAC libraries derived from diverse fungi to enable large-scale weed screening.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- FAC technology enables heterologous expression of fungal DNA, producing high titers of small molecules for structural analysis.
- Utilizes a 96-well format for simultaneous discovery of novel compounds and proteins.
- Uses a comprehensive library of fungal DNA for diverse screening applications in herbicide discovery.
- Potential to identify at least three novel herbicide targets in Phase I.
Technology readiness level
This technology is at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 9, indicating it is fully validated and ready for commercial deployment. Future validation plans include large-scale screenings to identify novel herbicidal compounds and targets.
About Intact Genomics
Intact Genomics is an ISO 13485:2016 certified biotechnology company that specializes in the development and manufacture of high-performance molecular biology reagents and genomic services. Founded in 2013 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, the company leverages proprietary technologies, including Fungal Artificial Chromosomes (FAC) and advanced large DNA fragment cloning, to provide solutions for isothermal DNA/RNA amplification, gene editing, and molecular cloning. Their product portfolio, which includes over 100 items such as high-efficiency competent cells, enzymes, and RPA optimization tools, is designed to support high-quality, reproducible research across diverse fields including human health, agriculture, and environmental science.
The company serves a global customer base across academia and industry, enabling researchers to address complex challenges in genomic structure, function, and natural product discovery. By offering both off-the-shelf molecular biology products and custom services—such as library construction, protein expression, and OEM manufacturing—Intact Genomics provides scalable support for diagnostic development and drug discovery efforts. Their commitment to reliability and innovation has established them as a key resource for laboratories seeking specialized tools for streamlined cloning and rapid isothermal testing methods.
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