NEW YORK, Sept. 26 – Integrated Genomics of Chicago has licensed three of its microbial genome sequencing technologies to Genencor, the companies announced Tuesday.
Under the terms of the deal Genencor will have a license to use Integrated Genomics’ genome sequence data for Aspergillus niger , the ERGO bioinformatics tools, and Genome Explorer, which allows scientists to analyze regulatory pathways.
Genencor of Palo Alto, Calif., said it would apply these technologies to study fungal cell factories and to look for commercial applications of novel biological products.
"Over the years, we have invested significantly in our functional genomics platform and we believe that the A. niger genome sequence specifically will accelerate the pace of enzyme discovery and production," Michael Arbige, senior vice president of technology for Genencor, said in a statement.
“The sequence data and the blueprint of metabolism will lead us to design cell factories from a whole-system perspective for both our bioproducts and health care projects,” he said.
A. niger is a fungus that can convert simple molecules into complex biochemicals.
Integrated Genomics has also used its ERGO bioinformatics system to organize A. niger ’s genes and their functions into metabolic networks.