Full Breakdown
Engineered Seeds Produce Dairy ?-Casein, Opening a Plant-Based Path to Milk Proteins
8/16/2026, 9:29:07 PM
Engineered Seeds Yield Milk Protein
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) successfully engineered the seeds of the model weed Arabidopsis to synthesize bovine ?-casein, a major milk protein. The protein was fused to the plant oil-body protein oleosin and accumulated in an unexpected intracellular compartment, revealing a previously unknown storage pathway. The team demonstrated that the plant-derived ?-casein behaves like its dairy counterpart.
How the Technology Works
The scientists first validated the genetic construct in Arabidopsis because of its rapid life cycle and ease of transformation. After confirming protein expression, the DNA segment is transferred to safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), the intended commercial crop. Safflower seeds naturally contain roughly ten times more concentrated protein and fat than milk, allowing the novel ingredient to be stored at room temperature for up to a year and shipped more efficiently than liquid milk. Plant molecular farming can produce the protein up to 100 times cheaper than precision-fermentation methods, according to the researchers.
Official Statements & Outlook
Prof. He estimates a commercial launch within 18–24 months, with the principal hurdle being industry adoption. Discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have begun, and Shoseyov envisions global cultivation of the safflower crop within five years. He also noted that the technology may benefit pharmaceutical manufacturing, though the food market is four times larger.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Biological systems are far more sophisticated,” — Prof. Oded Shoseyov
- “We already started discussions with the FDA. There is a very clear path. It should not be too difficult. In five years, I hope to see our plants grown all over the world and the shelves in the supermarkets loaded with our plant dairy products,” — Prof. Oded Shoseyov
Future Prospects
The researchers anticipate that plant-based dairy proteins will initially appear in hybrid products, helping to lower prices and meet sustainability goals. Major growth markets are expected in the Asia-Pacific region, with potential growers including Australia, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, China, and later India and Africa. Shoseyov expressed hope that the safflower-derived ingredient will contribute to Israel’s food security and that consumers will readily recognize the plant origin of the protein, given mandatory food-industry transparency.
