4-Patents: Brazil Government privatizes sugar cane genome

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TITLE:  CropDesign and SUCEST in Functional Genomics Alliance
SOURCE: Atlas Venture News
        http://www.atlasventure.com/news_content.asp?ne_id=420
DATE:   September 4, 2001

------------------ archive: http://www.gene.ch/genet.html ------------------


CropDesign and SUCEST in Functional Genomics Alliance

Gent, Belgium/Sao Paulo Brazil, September 4, 2001 Ð CropDesign N.V. 
(CropDesign) and SUCEST (Sugar Cane EST Genome Project) announced today 
that they have signed an agreement for a functional genomics alliance. The 
alliance targets the use of SUCESTÕs unique and functionally rich database 
of sugarcane genes with CropDesignÕs proprietary tools for developing crop 
improvement traits.

Under the terms of the agreement, CropDesign has been granted exclusive 
access to SUCESTÕs database for an undisclosed term. SUCEST and CropDesign 
will use their combined bioinformatics expertise to select candidate genes 
from the SUCEST database for crop improvement, including yield enhancement 
and stress tolerance. Selected genes will be entered into CropDesignÕs rice 
TraitMillTM. The TraitMillTM is a comprehensive system for high-throughput 
evaluation of genes for crop improvement. The system comprises modules for 
bioinformatics, gene cloning, plant transformation and plant evaluation; 
all of which are automated for efficient, rapid and high-volume processing.

CropDesign is responsible for commercialisation of the results of the 
alliance outside of Brazil. Commercial exploitation in Brazil is the joint 
responsibility of the alliance partners. SUCEST will exclusively 
commercialise the program results in sugarcane in Brazil.

According to Dr. Herman Van Mellaert, CropDesign CEO, "SUCEST has built one 
of the most comprehensive plant genome databases integrating sequence and 
functional information with state-of-the-art data mining tools. Sugarcane 
is a close genetic relative of major cereal crops such as corn, rice and 
wheat, even though it is morphologically and physiologically quite 
distinct. Our access to these sugarcane resources combined with other 
cereal databases, will increase the efficiency of lead discovery in the 
TraitMillTM.Ó Van Mellaert added, "This agreement reflects our commitment 
to building a leading applied genomics product development company.Ó

Dr. Paulo Arruda, General Coordinator of SUCEST, said: "We are delighted to 
be allied with CropDesign through this agreement. This deal highlights the 
position of SUCEST as a leading Brazilian research consortium with 
particular expertise in sugarcane molecular biology. Testing of genes from 
our database with the high-throughput power of the TraitMillTM is crucial 
to further understand their function.Ó According to Dr. Arruda, "this 
agreement also leverages the value of SUCESTÕs extensive sugarcane genomics 
database in the marketplace. Brazil is responsible for 25% of the worldÕs 
production of sugarcane, and rice, corn and wheat are also amongst the 
countryÕs most important field crops. This alliance puts us in a position 
to participate in the development of commercially attractive traits.Ó

CropDesign, based in Gent, Belgium is an agbiotech company focused on the 
application of functional genomics for improved crop performance, including 
higher yield, heightened tolerance to stress and diseases and better 
quality. CropDesign applies its technology in rice, wheat and other 
cereals. Founded in 1998, CropDesign employs over 60 people at its research 
facilities in Gent.

SUCEST, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is the Sugarcane Genome Project funded 
by FAPESP, the Sao Paulo State research agency. SUCEST began sequencing the 
sugarcane genome in 1998 and has built one of the most comprehensive 
databases integrating genome sequence and functional information for that 
crop.

*****

CropDesign's TraitMill - inroad to sugar cane patenting

http://www.atlasventure.com/news_content.asp?ne_id=216

[...] CropDesign's TraitMill is a highly versatile tool for regulating the 
expression and testing the effect of genes and gene combinations on plant 
phenotypes. TraitMill comprises a high-throughput system for gene cloning, 
plant transformation and digital plant evaluation. With this platform, 
CropDesign can rapidly determine the value for crop improvement of plant 
growth and development genes. Additionally, the in planta results of 
TraitMill meet the USPTO's (United States Patent and Trademark Office) 
patent requirements for specific, credible and substantial utility. The TGI 
genes will be tested directly in CropDesign's rice TraitMill. According to 
Dr. Johan Cardoen, CropDesign Vice-President of Business Alliances, 
"Accessing the US cereals market is one of our key business goals. This US 
research collaboration will strengthen our efforts to understand the 
function of plant genes and to use hat understanding to develop improved 
products for cereal farmers in the US Midwest and elsewhere." [...]



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