University of Missouri researchers work to genetically enhance camelina and pennycress

In Missouri, researchers at the University of Missouri using a $12.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will explore how two cover crops —camelina and pennycress—could be genetically modified to produce higher overall quantities of a specialty seed oil. The team’s goal is to mass-produce a vegetable oil capable of being used as a biofuel for aviation purposes.

Researchers are exploring how to take genes from the cuphea plant — known for their medium-chain oil producing traits — and using biotechnology to transfer them to camelina and pennycress. Additionally, using $2.7 million of the $12.8 million grant, MU’s team is taking three of the lab’s patented approaches for improving overall oil content in plant seeds and applying them to existing research on this topic.