Logo

BASF Strikes Gene-Discovery Deal with South Korean University, Venture Firm

Dec 29, 2009

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Germany's BASF Plant Science, South Korean venture firm Genomine, and South Korean university Postech said recently that they have entered a licensing agreement focused on discovering genes to help maximize yields in staple food and feed crops such as rice and corn.

Terms of the agreement call for Postech to conduct early discovery work, for Genomine to contribute gene discovery competencies, and for BASF to further analyze and develop the genes in commercial crops, including rice and corn.

The partners will seek genes that increase yield under normal circumstances as well as under adverse environmental conditions such as drought.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Genomine, a private bio-venture firm, originated from the department of life sciences at Postech, which was founded in 1986 as Korea’s first research-oriented university.

Filed under

BASF
Breaking News
The Scan

Y Chromosome Study Reveals Details on Timing of Human Settlement in Americas

A Y chromosome-based analysis suggests South America may have first been settled more than 18,000 years ago, according to a new PLOS One study.

New Insights Into TP53-Driven Cancer

Researchers examine in Nature how TP53 mutations arise and spark tumor development.

Mapping Single-Cell Genomic, Transcriptomic Landscapes of Colorectal Cancer

In Genome Medicine, researchers present a map of single-cell genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of primary and metastatic colorectal cancer.

Expanded Genetic Testing Uncovers Hereditary Cancer Risk in Significant Subset of Cancer Patients

In Genome Medicine, researchers found pathogenic or likely pathogenic hereditary cancer risk variants in close to 17 percent of the 17,523 patients profiled with expanded germline genetic testing.