Junwei Ji
Junwei holds a PhD from the University of Manchester, where his research on precise DNA mutagenesis in plant chloroplast genome led to the Mutant Organelle Selection System (MOSS), now licensed to Cytotrait. He led the ICURe programme that established the company’s groundwork. A former hybrid maize breeder, Junwei brings deep experience in agricultural biotechnology and innovative solutions for climate challenges.
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Tim Brears
Tim has broad start-up experience in biotechnology, ag biotech, synthetic biology, and pharmaceuticals. He has served as CEO of a number of biotech companies, including Evonetix, Xention and Gendaq, leading these companies through substantial financings and significant corporate agreements, including exit.. He spent a decade in the US and served as Director of Business Development at Ciba-Geigy/Novartis (now Syngenta). Tim holds a PhD in plant molecular biology from Cambridge University and an MBA from Duke University.
Executive Chair
Co-founder & Scientific AdvisorAnil Day
Anil is a Reader in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Manchester. He is recognised as a world leader in chloroplast biology and genetic engineering for crop improvement. He actively bridges academic research with commercial application, serving as the business engagement lead for the Division of Molecular and Cellular Function at the University. Together with Junwei, Anil co-invented the MOSS technology that underlies the research of Cytotrait.
Research Scientist