Grant: Idea to Innovation

The invention relates to how the immune response of plants can be activated to enhance plant immunity. In plants, a pathogen challenge from, for example, the blue mold Peronospora tabacina, can lead to a hypersensitive response known as programed cell death (PCD), which if not localized can lead to the plant's destruction. PCD can be localized through the production of the immune signal, salicylic acid (SA). The Després group has discovered a protein called 'nonexpressor of PR genes 1' (NPR1), as a receptor for SA. Further investigation of this discovery has the potential for the following commercial applications in agriculture: 1) The development of plant-enhancing immunity chemicals; 2) The development of selective weed-killers which are not harmful to the surrounding plants or to animals; 3) The production of new plants from cuttings; 4) The development of molecules to promote the ripening of fruit or induce flowering when required; 5) The development of molecules to speed up or slow down the growth of plants; 6) The development of molecules to produce fruit without seeds.Because of safety regulations, products currently available in this class of chemicals are only registered for use in a limited number of crops. There is therefore a commercial opportunity to meet an unmet need in the agricultural sector.