Eggplant

Target SHU range

5K – 1M

Across 5 named cultivars in the Dark Matter Series, calibrated to realistic heterologous expression yields in eggplant.

Market Opportunity

57 million metric tons/year globally. Features in spicy cuisines worldwide — Sichuan yuxiang, South Indian brinjal, Turkish patlıcan, North African zaalouk. Eliminates separately added chili and gives a meaty-texture heat ingredient.

Engineering Strategy

88% synteny with Capsicum. Same 4-5 heterologous genes as tomato. Agrobacterium-mediated, 10-25% efficiency. 90-120 day generation. Must not upregulate steroidal glycoalkaloid biosynthesis (solanine, solasonine).