Research Shortens Development of New Characteristics

By Jim.Robinson|October 4, 2011

Bayer CropScience AG and Precision BioSciences Inc. have successfully inserted a gene into a specific desired location in cotton using Precision’s Directed Nuclease Editor (DNE) technology. Scientists at Bayer CropScience used an enzyme — known as a DNE-engineered meganuclease – that is produced by Precision to target the insertion of a transgene near an existing transgene in a plant line. This approach could reduce the time required to produce a new plant characteristic and removes complexities associated with current product development methods. It is the first known report of a site-specific insertion using an engineered nuclease in cotton.

Precision’s DNE technology, which is based on the production of DNA-cleaving enzymes called engineered meganucleases, enables crop researchers at Bayer to delete, insert, or otherwise modify genes at user-defined sites within plant genomes. By facilitating the direct introduction of value adding traits into plant species, the technology can streamline product development and reduce the time it takes to get a product ready for the market.

Precision BioSciences and Bayer CropScience are developing additional DNE-engineered meganucleases for use across the company’s crop platforms.

“This technology milestone is a world first and delivers enormous capacity for Bayer to precisely target and more efficiently deliver significant benefits in key crops to farmers globally,” says Dr. Johan Botterman, head of bioScience product research at Bayer CropScience. “And this is just the beginning.”

“We are thrilled to announce this important achievement with Bayer CropScience, an established innovator and leader in global agribusiness,” said Derek Jantz, vice president of scientific development at Precision BioSciences. “We are looking forward to continuing our successful relationship with Bayer CropScience to develop next-generation agricultural products.”