Precision breeding release notice (reference: PBR/26/005)
Published 12 May 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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Information provided to the Secretary of State alongside a notice of intention to release a precision bred plant under schedule 1 of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Regulations 2025.
1. Name and address of the person proposing to release the precision bred plant
The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
2. Description of others assisting in the release of the precision bred plant
Niab Ltd, a research institute, will be involved in this release to provide growing facilities, phenotypic assessment and agronomic inputs.
3. General description of the precision bred plant
a) Genus and species
Solanum lycopersicum
b) Intended alterations to characteristics of the plant
Enhanced resistance (immunity) against powdery mildew disease. No other alteration is expected nor detected in this plant.
c) Types of genetic changes introduced to cause these alterations
Deletion of 48 base-pairs of genomic DNA within the Mildew resistant locus o (Mlo) gene of tomato. This deletion was confirmed by whole-genome sequencing.
d) Techniques of modern biotechnology used to make these genetic changes
We used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to make the tomato variety resistant to powdery mildew. Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens, we transformed the tomato plant with a plasmid construct containing the Cas9 DNA nuclease guided by a single guide RNA to the Mlo gene. Wild-type alleles of Mlo, which encodes a membrane-associated protein with seven transmembrane domains, confer susceptibility to the powdery mildew fungus. Homozygous loss-of-function mutations (mlo) result in enhanced resistance (immunity) to the fungus. Subsequent back-crossing for two generations (T2) and screening for T-DNA-free progeny resulted in the trans-gene free variety, as evidenced by whole-genome sequencing.
4. Confirmation: preventing marketing
The person with overall responsibility for the release must confirm they will put in place any necessary appropriate measures to prevent material from the precision bred plant being marketed until such time as a precision bred confirmation is issued in respect of the plant.
Confirmed
5. Confirmation: meeting precision breeding criteria
The person with overall responsibility for the release must confirm they have assessed that all plants covered by the release notice meet the criteria for a precision bred organism as set out in section 1 (2) of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.
Confirmed