Research Projects

Soybean cultivation is increasing globally due to its nutritional value and potential applications in edible oil, protein-rich food, and industrial applications. However, the presence of allergens like ?-conglycinin and Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) in soybean seeds has raised concerns. ?-conglycinin is a tripeptide with ?, ?', and ? subunits, with 15 genes controlling its expression. Mutations in these genes can minimize allergy levels. In India, KTI-free soybean genotypes have been developed, and introducing ?-conglycinin-free traits in KTI-free lines and protein-rich foods could make soybean-based food safer. However, there is no known source for the ?-conglycinin-free genotype in India, making conventional breeding approaches challenging. Advancements in genome editing techniques offer an opportunity to make desired changes in the soybean genome, leading to lowered or ?-conglycinin-free seeds. The laboratory has a well-established protocol for genetic transformation of soybean genotypes and expertise in genome editing constructs.