Spurred on by recent movements in European Union policy, genome editing (New Genomic Techniques; NGTs) is poised to become a critical breeding tool. Genome editing is likewise critical for high-impact crop science, which relies on validation of gene function by mutagenesis.

Genome editing involves delivering editing reagents into a cell ("transformation") and regenerating that cell into a complete plant ("regeneration") - two major practical bottlenecks. Overcoming these in recalcitrant species surpasses the capabilities of individual Danish research laboratories.

The purpose of BREEDOME is to facilitate routine genome editing in a broad range of plant species and genotypes by establishing a unified infrastructure that leverages the combined national expertise and integrates robotics and artificial intelligence to increase throughput. 

BREEDOME will serve crop scientists and plant breeders through a single point of entry. User needs will be clarified and a user-specific plan will be developed, including determination of user fees. This will generally be completed prior to research proposal development, allowing budgeting for BREEDOME services.

BREEDOME will be organised into four nodes: 1) Reagent development and validation, 2) Tissue culture protocol optimisation, 3) High-throughput editing and 4) Genotyping and editing validation. The distributed infrastructure requires careful coordination, but it is needed to gather the critical mass of national expertise required to tackle the complex challenges of genome editing.

When established, BREEDOME will deliver a customized service, ranging from initial screening for e.g. optimal guide RNAs to the full process of implementing genome editing for a new plant species or genotype. BREEDOME is envisioned to become a main driving force in cutting edge Danish crop science and public-private plant breeding projects, increasing scientific impact and expediting the lab-to-field transition for new genetic innovations.