Cytotrait is a Manchester biotechnology spinout developing crop traits through editing of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes. Its proprietary Mutant Organelle Selection System (MOSS) uses programmable nucleases and selection against unmodified gene copies to spread introduced genes or edits throughout organelles, rapidly producing homoplasmy, where all copies carry the intended genetic change. The approach aims to enable stable, high-level trait expression with simpler trait stacking, backcrossing and containment. Cytotrait is developing applications in wheat, maize, potato and canola for yield, resilience, pest and disease resistance, hybrid-seed production and new food or industrial traits. These are development programmes and potential applications rather than claims that every resulting crop product is already commercialised.
