La Trobe research developing allergy-free ryegrass

Melbourne-based researchers are developing a transgenic rye grass that will reduce the risk of hay fever in allergy sufferers.

Director of the Plant Biotechnology Centre based at La Trobe University, Prof German Spangenberg, said ryegrass pollen was considered a major cause of hay fever and seasonal allergic asthma worldwide.

Ryegrass pollen is more abundant than any other pollen in cool temperate climates that are spread throughout Asia, Europe, the North Atlantic Islands and North Africa.

Spangenberg's team of genetic engineers is attempting to reduce allergic reactions caused by ryegrass pollen by reducing the level of the two main pollen allergens in ryegrass, Lolp1 and Lolp2.

They have been able to turn down the production of key allergens in two ryegrass plants including transgenic Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and transgenic perennial ryegrass (L. perenne).

"The function of these pollen allergens is largely unknown," he said. They are known to interact with the human immune system causing an allergic reaction.

In Europe the research had particular importance, as ryegrass is a forage grass, which represented approximately 70 per cent of the grass seed volume required.

"Hayfever and seasonal allergic asthma are environmental diseases that afflict up to 25 per cent of the population in cool temperate climates," Spangenberg said.