THE PLANT TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENT COMPANY
OUR TECHNOLOGY
A next-gen solution for crop developers
OUR TECHNOLOGY
Transposon Assisted Homology Independent Targeted Integration (TAHITI)
Spearhead Bio’s proprietary platform harnesses transposable elements to enable precise insertion of large DNA cargo at custom genomic locations in plants.
Cargo DNA Excision
Cargo DNA (the desired trait) is flanked by transposable element (TE) sequences. It is excised from the donor DNA and protected by TE proteins.
Integration Site Selection
CRISPR-Cas targets the desired plant genome target site.
Targeted Integration
The protected TE + Cargo DNA is inserted into the CRISPR-Cas target site at high frequency, high accuracy (near seamless insertion) and low off-target rate.
3a.
3b.
Precise control.
Custom locations.
High efficiency.
Low off-target rate.
Enables both GMO and non-GMO development.
OUR PLATFORM
The TAHITI Platform: Programmable Transposable Elements for Plant Genome Engineering
Spearhead Bio has developed TAHITI – a platform that combines the targeting of CRISPR with the natural DNA-moving capabilities of transposable elements to insert large DNA sequences at precise locations in plant genomes.
TAHITI rewrites what is possible in genome engineering.
Edits are no longer limited to small replacements or cuts.
To use language as an analogy for DNA:
Existing
Existing tools change letters
VS
Spearhead
TAHITI rewrites whole paragraphs
Mary had a little lambp,
its fleece was white as snlow;
and everywhere that Mary wenpt
the lamb was sure tno go.
Mary had a little lamb,
its fleece was white as snow;
and everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.The lamb was fiercely independent and only the lamb decided where it was sure to go.
Built for what next-generation crop developers need
Spearhead Bio is Enabling the Future of Genome Engineering:
- Precise insertion of large DNA cargo at defined genomic locations
- Greater control over DNA cargo placement
- Broader engineering possibilities, including insertion, copying, replacement, rearrangement, and stacking
- Both transgenic and non-transgenic crop-development pathways
- More predictable development workflows, with the potential to reduce timelines and costs
PRACTICAL IMPACT
What Spearhead Bio and TAHITI enable:
| Method | Effect | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Insert | Add a desired DNA sequence at a defined genomic location. | Introduce genes, regulatory elements, or large functional DNA cargo with controlled placement. |
| Copy | Duplicate a selected DNA sequence and place the copies at targeted locations. | Add copies of useful genes or regulatory elements to modify gene dosage or expression. |
| Replace | Exchange an existing DNA sequence for a selected alternative. | Introduce desired alleles or gene versions while preserving the surrounding genomic context. |
| Rearrange | Move or reorder existing DNA sequences within the genome. | Create new relationships among genes and regulatory elements, enabling new expression patterns. |
| Stack | Combine multiple genes or trait components at one defined genomic location. | Build complex traits while keeping components genetically linked for simpler breeding. |
| Isolate / Control | Separate an existing sequence from its original regulatory context by inserting new DNA. | Place an existing gene under new control, changing when, where, or how strongly it is expressed. |
PARTNER WITH SPEARHEAD BIO