Chloroplasts which have evolved from an ancestral bacterium can be the target very efficient expression of heterologous protein with huge economical potential. However, translation in chloroplasts, which have evolved from an ancestral bacterium is not well understood and currently there is no generic quantitative model related to these aspects in the chloroplast.  

The patent includes a novel computational pipeline and models that can be used for engineering and optimization of translation regulation in chloroplasts.  Since the expression system in the chloroplasts have various advantages, this pipeline should be very helpful for the biotechnology of plants and microalgae. These organisms are frequently used in fields such as pharma, green energy production, food-tech, antibody production, and additional biotechnological objectives. 
 
UNMET NEED
The efficient expression of heterologous protein in plants and microalgae via their integration into the chloroplast.

OUR SOLUTION
A new model for mRNA translation optimization in the chloroplasts that considers among others the mRNA structures of the target gene and the interaction of its mRNA with the rRNA of the chloroplast ribosome. 

APPLICATIONS
Our pipeline should be very helpful for the biotechnology of plants and microalgae. These organisms are frequently used in fields such as pharma, green energy production, food-tech, antibody production, and additional biotechnological objectives.  

STATUS
A model has been developed and is ready to be used. 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
A patent application was submitted. 

REFERENCES
1. Stav Carmel Ezra, Tamir Tuller. Modeling the effect of rRNA-mRNA interactions and mRNA folding on mRNA translation in chloroplasts. Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 2022 May 18;20:2521-2538.