Pairwise Develops First Gene-Edited Seedless Blackberry

Pairwise, a US-based company pioneering the application of CRISPR technology in food and agriculture, has developed the world's first seedless blackberry using the company's proprietary Fulcrum™ Platform, a complete suite of novel tools for CRISPR application in plants.

The breakthrough is the first time seedlessness has been achieved in any caneberry. Ryan Bartlett, Pairwise Chief Technology Officer said their scientists used their deep knowledge of plant genetics, broad suite of CRISPR tools, and multiplex editing techniques to eliminate the hard pits in berry fruit, creating soft, small seeds like those found in grapes and watermelon that are commonly labeled as seedless. He added that the trait will not only transform the blackberry market but also lay the groundwork for accelerated progress in removing seeds and pits in many other fruits such as cherries.

According to Haven Baker, Pairwise Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, data indicate that more than 30% of berry buyers do not like the seeds, and many more do not even buy the fruit because of the seeds. The berry variety that Pairwise edited is consistently sweet year-round and holds up well during shipment. Consumers will now have the option to choose a nutritious blackberry without seeds that also reliably delivers great flavor and quality, explains Baker.

Pairwise has also successfully edited the same blackberry variety to eliminate thorns and create a more compact plant that delivers benefits for harvesters, growers, and the environment. The thornless and compact traits enable more efficient fruit harvesting and improved productivity and profitability for growers. The new compact trait means the plants are smaller and can be planted at a higher density per acre.

For more details, read the news release from Pairwise.