The Alberta 1000 plants (1KP) project is a public-private partnership that is collecting gene sequence information for 1000 different species of plants, with an emphasis on plants indigenous to Alberta or that could be cultivated or processed in Alberta. In each case, the team will target plants that produce interesting and useful bioproducts. In Phase 1, the team will assemble the world’s largest resource of plant gene sequences, by analyzing the DNA of 1000 different species of plants, with a focus on those that produce medicines, biofuels, and other useful chemicals. Subsequently, in Phase 2, they plan to launch a company to produce these bioproducts using principles of synthetic biology to optimize plant-derived enzymes to produce high-value products within contained environments such as fermentors.  

This project will expand Alberta’s capacity in genomics and biotechnology and will lay a foundation for new bioproducts industries within the province.