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Dow Agro Gains Breakthrough With Gene Technique
April 30, 2009
Dow Agro Gains Breakthrough With Gene Technique
-Jeff Swiatek, Indianapolis Star, April 29, 2009
Researchers at DowAgrosciences in Indianapolis have proven that corn can be genetically modified in a precise way.
The scientific development, announced today, is notable enough to warrant an article in the advance online edition of the journal Nature.
The gene Dow inserted into corn made the plant herbicide- tolerant and also reduced levels of phytate, a component of feed corn that's difficult for pigs and chickens to digest.
Both traits are beneficial to farmers.
The Dow scientists showed that they can insert a gene into a predetermined location in the corn genome.
They used a new gene insertion technology from Sangamo BioSciences of Richmond, Calif. Dow got access to the proprietary zinc finger DNA-binding protein technology through a 2005 licensing agreement with Sangamo.
Use of the new technology "establishes a new, rapid and efficient strategy for precise plant genetic modification," said Vipula Shukla, who lead the project at Dow AgroSciences.
The company said it's making the technology available to others to use in collaborative efforts. It can be used to genetically modify other crops, trees and vegetables.
The new procedure "has the potential to redefine the future of agriculture, driving productivity gains globally and greatly enhancing sustainability in a major food crop such as maize," Jerome Peribere, president of Dow AgroSciences, said in a statement.
Dow AgroSciences is the crop pesticide and seed division of Dow Chemical Co.
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