A Taste of Wellness for Savoury and Snacks
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BASF Plant Science, the plant biotechnology subsidiary of German chemical giant BASF, has signed a long-term research collaboration with US company Phytodyne and focused on the development of a new soybean transformation system to accelerate commercialisation of soybean traits.
BASF Plant Science will support research and development on RetroGene, a novel plant transformation system, first discovered and developed by Phytodyne that, claim the two companies, can provide a more cost-effective means of plant transformation to be used on a wide range of crops.
"Phytodyne's collaboration with BASF Plant Science will leverage each company's unique technology and expertise," said Jon Leafstedt, Phytodyne president. "BASF Plant Science has a strong research program to develop valuable soybean traits and Phytodyne has the technology to put those traits into soybean plants more effectively than traditional transformation methods," he added.
Dr. Jürgen Logemann, vice president Technology Management of BASF Plant Science, supporting Leafstedt`s words, said:"Our capabilities to develop important seed traits, coupled with Phytodyne's technology for soybean transformation, will provide BASF Plant Science with a significant competitive advantage in creating commercially valuable soybean varieties."
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.