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
Shipping Quantity

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

Using microalgae, yeast, lactic acid bacteria, molds and other microorganisms:
To produce alternative food sources.
To produce alternative fuels and bioplastics.
To produce useful substances.
To produce raw materials for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and for the chemical industry.
To develop technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
To develop smart cells.
> Irradiation to Cultures and Microorganisms

De-carbonization
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

Neutron breeding is efficient because the mutation rate per irradiation is 15 to 300 times higher than that of conventional technologies. 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, MICROORGANISMS, and other objects Standard seeds are irradiated in cylindrical aluminum cans called “cells”, so the fee is basically determined per “irradiated area” and per cell. For objects that do not fit into cells, such as plant growth points, scions, and cultures of microorganisms, etc., we perform custom-made irradiation according to the conditions, such as sealing a microbial solution in an eppendorf tube and irradiating it, or irradiating petri dishes containing the cultures. The cost of irradiation varies depending on the conditions, so please contact us for more details. In order to make this service available to various customers, we also offer a trial irradiation service^2 for first-time customers only, and a limited irradiation package for academics, in which costs are reduced and results are disclosed. In addition, all irradiation services^1 come with a money-back guarantee^3 in the event that no mutation occurs. 1 All irradiation services require a prior irradiation plan and a contingency license agreement at the time of acquisition of the target trait. 2 Only available for the first use of irradiation service. There is a limit to the irradiation dose. 3 In case no mutation, useful or unnecessary, occurs with M2 (2nd generation), we will refund approximately 30% of the fee.
Neutron Irradiation +Screening	Please feel free to contact us.
Total Breed Development	Please feel free to contact us.

Neutron
Irradiation

Irradiation to: SEEDS, MICROORGANISMS, and other objects

5 irradiated areas x 2 cells each = 10 cellsCells and irradiated areas

Standard seeds are irradiated in cylindrical aluminum cans called “cells”, so the fee is basically determined per “irradiated area” and per cell. For objects that do not fit into cells, such as plant growth points, scions, and cultures of microorganisms, etc., we perform custom-made irradiation according to the conditions, such as sealing a microbial solution in an eppendorf tube and irradiating it, or irradiating petri dishes containing the cultures.
The cost of irradiation varies depending on the conditions, so please contact us for more details.

In order to make this service available to various customers, we also offer a trial irradiation service^*2 for first-time customers only, and a limited irradiation package for academics, in which costs are reduced and results are disclosed. In addition, all irradiation services^*1 come with a money-back guarantee^*3 in the event that no mutation occurs.

*1 All irradiation services require a prior irradiation plan and a contingency license agreement at the time of acquisition of the target trait. *2 Only available for the first use of irradiation service. There is a limit to the irradiation dose. *3 In case no mutation, useful or unnecessary, occurs with M2 (2nd generation), we will refund approximately 30% of the fee.

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.