InteliSpark client, Ascribe Biosciences, wins a phase I Small Business Technology Transfer grant from the National Institutes of Health. Researchers will develop a novel seed treatment based on a natural molecule that activates plant defenses, to potentially prevent sprout-related foodborne illnesses.
Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses have occurred across the United States, causing at least 1,953 illnesses, 212 hospitalization, and 5 deaths between 1996 and 2017. Edible sprouts, including alfalfa, mung bean and clover, are prone to contamination in the seeds by bacterial pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which has led to severe outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Though some seed treatments exist, no treatment is currently available to completely eliminate pathogens on seeds or sprouts that cause foodborne illness.
Ascribe Biosciences, an agricultural biotech startup, will develop an innovative seed treatment technology that enhances plants’ innate defense against pathogens, which is a great alternative to combatting pathogens with toxins. The research team, led by Dr. Murli Manohar, co-founder and CTO of Ascribe Biosciences, will test the efficacy of their seed treatment in phase I with the hopes of ensuring protection at the seed stage and throughout growth, harvest and point of consumption.
This novel technology has the potential to reduce sprout-related infections and outbreaks across the United States and abroad.