4Plant was facing a challenge in their pursuit of advancing cannabis genetics. They needed to germinate seeds that have been specifically bred for a unique homozygous gene insertion for an engineered cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) synthase gene, requiring precise and sophisticated screening methods. The critical task was to grow and identify plants with the desired genetic profile using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) techniques and select plants with marketable phenotypic traits.

However, 4Plant lacked access to an indoor controlled environment in Canada, which is essential for the accurate and efficient germination, growth, and pheno-hunting of these genetically tailored plants. This controlled environment is crucial not only for the initial screening process but also for the subsequent growth and characterization phases, which are vital for their ongoing research and development in cannabis breeding and plant selection.

By partnering with HESIC, 4Plant leveraged the college’s sophisticated facilities and expertise to overcome their challenges in cannabis genetics research and development.

The team was able to be very flexible about how the projects were going to be set up which made the process even easier.

The main goal was to learn how to breed their variety of cannabis into others to see whether the trait would still work and how to properly grow it. By doing that, it gave the industry partner the first step toward making it a viable commercial product.

The cultivation and genetic manipulation of Cannabis sativa (cannabis) have garnered significant attention due to the plant’s therapeutic and industrial potential. Cannabis contains a variety of bioactive compounds, with cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being two of the most prominent. CBDA, the precursor to cannabidiol (CBD), is non-psychoactive and has been noted for its potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and anti-anxiety properties (Andre et al. 2016). Conversely, THC is known for its psychoactive effects, which can limit its applicability in certain medicinal contexts. The recent advances in genetic engineering provide a unique opportunity to enhance the therapeutic value of cannabis by increasing CBDA levels while reducing THC content (Sirikantararnas et al., 2004).

The goal of this project was to initiate the germination of Cannabis sativa (cannabis) seeds with the aim of identifying plants that possess a novel homozygous gene insertion event for an engineered cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) synthase gene. These identified plants were subsequently cultivated and subjected to phenotyping and characterization within a controlled, indoor agricultural environment utilizing LED lighting. Additionally, select plants were cross-pollinated with a pollen donor carrying a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) knock-out gene, facilitating the production of a new generation of seeds.

The HESIC team, with its state-of-the-art cannabis cultivation research facility, the CannaResearchBunker, provided the ideal solution to 4Plant’s challenge. Equipped with an indoor controlled environment and advanced LED lighting systems, HESIC offered the perfect setting for the meticulous germination and growth processes required for 4Plant’s research. HESIC facilitated the qPCR screening to identify plants with the homozygous gene insertion accurately. After screening, HESIC provided the necessary conditions for growing out these selected plants and conducting comprehensive pheno-hunting. This enabled detailed characterization of the plants’ attributes, essential for 4Plant’s further breeding and plant selection initiatives.

In a follow-up project for 4Plant, HESIC facilitated the growth and selection of plants with the desired genetic modifications. It also provided the controlled conditions necessary for conducting pollination using individual breeding chambers. This approach ensured precise control over the breeding process and the prevention of cross-contamination between unique seed lines.

The allure of coming to Niagara College to work on their breeding program was the confidence in the people. “You’ve got people like Scott (Golem) who has all this industrial experience and was the key for why we came and worked with Niagara College. We knew we were showing up at a college that was looking at the problem not only through academic eyes, but also with an industrial lens,” said Michael Mendez, CEO, Hypercann Agrogenetics.

Two other key team members that Michael raved about were Research Assistant Ana Valarezo Valdivieso, and Research Associate Adam Jukosky. “These two were very professional and excited about working on the project,” he said. Mike even said in the future, he would consider hiring them both.

Mike stressed, “I’ve made it very clear to everyone at HESIC that we’re going to do more business with Niagara College. We’re fully on board and happy with the results that we got and its great value for the money. And people like Scott are the reason we’re excited to come back because he’s running amazing projects.”

One thing that surprised Mike was how the team actively found different grants and funding opportunities for them to tap into to help offset the cost of the project. “Your team made the effort, and I was like, ‘Wow, this is great’ because every dollar matters, especially when you’re a start-up,” he said.

Mike can rest assured knowing his breeding program is safe in the capable hands of the HESIC team in Canada.

Project intake is now open for 2025 start dates in the new HESIC greenhouse. Have a project idea? We want to hear from you!

Contact David DiPietro, Manager, Business Development, to set up a meeting to learn more about our potential service streams to suit your innovation needs.