Services - Quantum Flowers & Foods (QFF)

World’s First Neutron Breeding Service Open Up Potential for Breeding

Climate change has been a growing concern, not only in the agriculture industry, but also in pest and disease managment and in the development of alternative foods and fuels. While the quest to combat climate change has gained momentum, there is a growing for faster breeding methods. As efforts to address global environmental issues have gained momentum, the need for breeding of microorganisms such as microalgae, yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and molds, as well as insects such as crickets, has also been rapidly increasing.

Therefore, QFF has started offering Neutron Breeding Services. To further increase speed and efficiency, we use neutron beam technology in conjuction with genome editing (Crisper Cas9) and EMS (chemical mutagenesis).

Applications for Neutron Breeding Services

Examples of Breeding Needs

Environmental Adaptation Needs

To develop varieties that are resistant to high temperatures and damage caused by climate change and global warming.
To develop varieties that are resistant to wind and flood damage.
To develop varieties that are highly resistant to pests and diseases.
To develop varieties with improved cold tolerance.

Improve
Productivity

Consumer Needs

To develop varieties that meet market needs (e.g., beans with high protein content and high processability).
To develop varieties for commercial use (e.g., onions with high processing yields).
To develop varieties suitable for overseas exports.

Improve
Functionality
and Value

Production Site Needs

To develop high-yield varieties.
To develop varieties suitable for production in plant factories.
To develop varieties that reduce the amount of labor required for bud trimming and branching.
To develop low-temperature flowering varieties to reduce fuel costs.

Improve
Productivity

Microorganism Development Needs

To breed microalgae and yeast suitable for the production of alternative food sources.
To breed microorganisms suitable for reduction of greenhouse gases and production of alternative fuels.
To breed molds, yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, etc. suitable for production of useful substances.
To develop smart cells.
> Irradiation to Cultures and Microorganisms

Carbon Neutral
Carbon Negative
SDGs

Insect Food Needs

To develop edible cricket varieties as an alternative protein source.

Food Security

> Neutron Irradiation Experience at QFF

Development Flow of Neutron Breeding Services

Service Menu for Neutron Breeding Services

QFF offers a flexible breeding program that caters to individual requirements. We can combine the neutron breeding program with complementary techniques such as genome editing and EMS (chemical mutagenesis). Even if it is not on our menu, we can discuss alternative programs per your request.

About the cost

Due to the speed and efficiency of our service, the cost of neutron breeding is 1/9 to 1/172 lower compared to conventional technologies. This is the real (per irradiation) cost of neutron beam, calculated by multiplying the unit irradiation cost per seed by the “mutation rate”, is compared with that of EMS, gamma rays, and heavy ion rays.
In addition, the high mutation rate reduces the number of irradiation and selection cycles and shortens the development period, resulting in a lower total cost of development. Trial irradiation service is available, so please feel free to contact us.

Service menu

Neutron
Irradiation

Irradiation to: SEEDS

In the case of standard samples, they are placed in cylindrical aluminum “cells” with an inner diameter of 50 mm (Φ50) and a height of 20 mm. Since the number of grains that can be placed in one cell varies depending on the size of the seed, the actual amount will be determined according to various conditions based on the pricing per cell per irradiation as shown below.

Standard number of cells: 10 cells [5 irradiated areas]

Number of cells	Reference price
Trial Irradiation (first time only) 3cells 3 irradiated areas × 200 seeds per strain	500,000JPY(Tax not included)^*2 This option is available only when using the neutron irradiation service for the first time. There is a limit to the irradiation dose.
5cells 5 irradiated areas × 1 cell each	1,700,000JPY(Tax not included)^*2
10cells 5 irradiated areas × 2 cell each ★standard number of cells	3,400,000JPY(Tax not included)^*2
15cells 5 irradiated areas × 3 cell each	5,000,000JPY(Tax not included)^*2
20cells 5 irradiated areas × 3 cell each + 5 cells*4	6,600,000JPY(Tax not included)^*2

All irradiation services come with a money-back guarantee in case no mutation occurs^*3

*3 In case no mutation, useful or unnecessary, occurs with M2 (2nd generation), we will refund approximately 30% of the fee. *2 All irradiation services require a prior irradiation plan and a contingency license agreement at the time of acquisition of the target trait. *4 The remaining 5 cells can be arranged in another 3 irradiated areas.

Irradiation to: MICROORGANISMS and other NON-SEED TARGETS

We can customize irradiation services for irradiated materials that do not fit into cells, such as plant growth points, scions, microorganisms, and fertilized eggs of insects. Please feel free to contact us.

Neutron
Irradiation
+Screening

Please feel free to contact us.

Total
Breed
Development

Please feel free to contact us.

Service Flow of Neutron Breeding Services

*For neutron irradiation
services

Contact us

Please contact us by e-mail or phone. We will set up a meeting.
Meeting

At the meeting, we will ask you about your development objectives, desired traits, development period, etc. in detail.
Estimate & irradiation planproposal

We will prepare and propose an estimate and irradiation plan based on the contents of the meeting.
Confirmthe irradiation conditions

After making final adjustments to the irradiation plan and the customer’s breeding plan, the contract is signed.
Irradiation→Verification & evaluation

Neutron irradiation is performed according to the plan, products are verified and evaluated after irradiation.
Delivery

We will deliver the neutron irradiated products.