Revolution Bioengineering
Revolution Bioengineering is a biotech company in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States that is working to create a plant that changes color throughout the day on its own using synthetic biology techniques to harness genes involved in the color and internal clock systems in petunias. The company started as part of the inaugural class of Ireland-based SynBio Axlr8r, a three-month business accelerator program awarding $60,000 and mentoring to biotech start-ups using synthetic biology. One of the company's goals is to embrace the current GMO controversy and work to show capabilities of synthetic biology through their project.
Plant science
To create the plants the project will utilize the existing anthocyanins in petunia. Anthocyanins color many flowers and fruits. They absorb light in the visible spectrum and may appear red, purple or blue depending on the pH, the presence or absence of metal ions, and other molecular interactions.The color of the anthocyanins will be controlled using circadian rhythms, an internal clock system found in many organisms that works to control gene expression over time. Using the principles of synthetic biology, the company will control the expression of a gene that modifies pH. Connecting these systems genetically can potentially create plants that change color throughout the day.