Overview of the Bioengineering Research at the Michigan State University Potato Breeding and Genetics Program

The Potato Breeding and Genetics Program at Michigan State University has been developing and testing bioengineered and gene-edited potatoes with traits chosen to benefit breeders, growers, processors, and consumers for many years. Biotech potatoes are gaining acceptance, and our research program is on the cusp of introducing these technologies to the greater potato community. In 2024, our program became the first public institution to obtain USDA approval and non-regulated status for a genetically engineered vegetable. In total, we obtained five potato submission approvals. The approved potatoes have disease resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans), viruses PVY and PLRV, cold storage sweetening resistance, drought tolerance, and increased specific gravity. RNAi silencing potato vacuolar acid invertase gene VInv prevents reducing sugar accumulation in cold-stored tubers. Our invertase-silenced potatoes can be stored at 4C for over 6 months. XERICO is a gene from Arabidopsis that we used with a drought inducible promoter to improve drought tolerance as well as an increase in solids. For global food security, we have developed late blight (Phytophthora infestans) resistant potato varieties for Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, and Nigeria. The 1st-generation potato events stack three LBR R-genes in five different host varieties popular with small shareholder farmers in our target countries. We also developed 2^nd generation multi-disease resistant potatoes that contain new LBR R-genes, as well as potato R-genes for virus resistance. We started the deregulation process in several countries and are within two years of deployment and improving the lives of millions of small-shareholder farmers.