In Collaboration with Illumina’s Genomic Analysis Solutions, Accelerating Microbe & Crop Improvement

Mito, Ibaraki — August 26, 2025 — Quantum Flowers & Foods, Inc. (QFF; Headquarters: Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture; CEO: Norio Kikuchi) announces that it has officially begun full commercial operation of the world’s first neutron-irradiation breeding platform. This platform combines broad mutation introduction into plants and microorganisms using neutron irradiation with the genomic analysis technology provided by Illumina, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato Ward, Tokyo; President & CEO: Kayo Oura), substantially shortening development timelines for both cultivar improvement and industrial microorganism development.

 

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Platform Features

– Neutron irradiation penetrates deeply and, while maintaining cellular viability, induces diverse DNA damage (including point mutations, insertions/deletions, and chromosomal rearrangements).

– Using Illumina’s high-throughput sequencing systems (NovaSeq™ / NextSeq™ series), the full genome can be rapidly decoded, enabling the identification of advantageous mutations within days.

– The platform is designed to scale, supporting irradiation and analysis of over 10,000 samples per year.

– Irradiation services will be offered through collaboration with domestic and international neutron beam facilities (e.g. J-PARC).

 

Demonstration Results

In an ongoing demonstration, E. coli strains were irradiated and subjected to resistance screening. Thirty-one strains were obtained showing resistance to antibiotics or elevated temperature. Whole-genome sequencing (using Illumina NovaSeq™ 6000) revealed a wide spectrum of mutations, including base substitutions (transitions/transversions), insertions, and deletions.

 

Comments from QFF CEO, Norio Kikuchi

“Neutron‑irradiation breeding represents a new technology that can dramatically accelerate the development of crops adapted to climate change and industrial microorganisms. Through our collaboration with Illumina, we have established a one-stop system from mutation induction through genomic trait evaluation.”

 

Future Plans

QFF and Illumina plan to expand their joint research into industrially relevant strains, such as heat‑resistant Lactobacillus and high-yield biofuel yeast. They also intend to collaborate with academic institutions and industry partners globally to build breeding databases and develop predictive algorithms for beneficial mutations using machine learning.

 

Company Information

Quantum Flowers & Foods, Inc. (QFF)

Address:  2‑101 Le Rêve Mikawa, 2563‑77 Mikawacho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Founded:  July 2018
Business:  Provision of “Neutron-Speedy Breeding®” services; research & development in quantum biotechnology
Website:  https://qff.jp/

 

Inquiries

Quantum Flowers & Foods, Inc.
Public Relations Department
E‑mail:  info@qff.co.jp

 

Unofficial English translation of a Japanese press release published on PR TIMES. For official terms, please refer to the original Japanese text.

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* As of August 2025, this is the world’s first commercial service combining accelerator-based neutron‑irradiation breeding and genome analytical solutions, according to QFF’s internal research and literature (e.g. JATAFF Journal Vol. 11, No. 9, “Expectations for Mutation Breeding Using Neutron Radiation” by Tsutomu Kuboyama).