By Scout Nelson
A Kansas biotechnology startup is placing wheat at the center of a scientific advance that could transform the way medicines and other protein-based products are made. Tritica Biosciences has developed a method to use wheat germ, the tiny embryo inside the grain, as the foundation of a cell-free protein synthesis system.
This process turns wheat germ into a shelf-stable “factory” capable of creating proteins whenever needed.
The innovation lies in Tritica’s ability to carefully separate and preserve the wheat embryo without spoiling it. Unlike typical milling byproducts that degrade quickly, the company keeps the embryos stable at room temperature. When mixed with the correct DNA instructions and water, the wheat germ extract begins to produce proteins.
One exciting example is insulin production. Instead of relying on large manufacturing centers, hospitals or clinics could one day create insulin on site by simply adding DNA instructions to the wheat germ extract.
“The seed goes in the soil and that embryo has to have every resource that it's going to take to get through the soil until it can get a leaf up and start photosynthesis,” Chris Miller said. “It's packed with concentrated machinery. You couldn’t go take leaves or grass clippings and do what we do. It’s specific to the embryo.”
“In a nutshell, we can put in DNA for human insulin, and the machines will pick up that instruction set and make it immediately,” Chris Miller said.
The possibilities extend beyond medicine. Tritica’s process has already shown promise with enzymes, human DNA, and food-related proteins. Backed by a $29 million federal ARPA-H grant, the startup is expanding partnerships and testing its technology in real health care settings.
Nothing goes to waste. The remaining grain can still be milled into flour, and the system avoids harmful byproducts. Tritica Biosciences is growing rapidly and continues to explore how specific wheat varieties might enhance the process, aiming to make life-saving products more accessible and sustainable.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Wheat