DuPont Pioneer has gained a license from a university in
Lithuania to use its patented technology that greatly improves the accuracy of
genetic engineering.
I hope the same technology is open for licensing to lots of other plant breeders.
Researchers at Vilnius University have discovered how to use
guided Cas9 genome editing technology that enables plant breeders to zero in on
specific genes of interest.
“The superior properties of guided Cas9 assist our
scientists to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for growers similar
to those realized through marker-assisted plant breeding, but with even greater
precision and accelerated development timelines,” said DuPont vice-president
Neal Gutterson.
“We are pleased to have had our invention licensed by
DuPont,” said Professor Virginijus Siksnys at the Institute of Biotechnology of
Vilnius University.
“The easy programmability of this customizable system
brings unprecedented flexibility and versatility for precise genome
editing. We have been and are continuing to collaborate with DuPont
scientists to improve the technology further.”
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Guided Cas9 genome editing technology is one of
several CRISPR-derived tools. CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short
Palindromic Repeats) is a feature naturally existing in bacteria. The guided
Cas9 technology used for genome editing differs from the natural CRISPR process
used to identify and immunize bacteria.
DuPont holds more than 60 patents or has filed patent
applications related to the use of CRISPR for bacteria identification and
immunization.
Its patent applications include some related to the
guided Cas9 genome editing technology.
