New tools for BASF Plant science

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BASF Plant Science, the plant biotechnology subsidiary of chemical
giant BASF, has entered into an agreement with Cellectis,
specialists in genome engineering and a recent spin-off from the
Institut Pasteur, that will provide BASF researchers with a set of
new tools.

BASF Plant Science, the plant biotechnology subsidiary of chemical giant BASF, has entered into an agreement with Cellectis, specialists in genome engineering and a recent spin-off from the Institut Pasteur, that will provide BASF researchers with a set of new tools.

The agreement covers the evaluation and use of Cellectis' proprietary Meganuclease I-SceI for the deletion/excision of nucleotides sequences, such as marker genes, in plants for agricultural and nutrition applications.

In addition, under terms of the agreement BASF Plant Science researchers can use Cellectis' Meganuclease I-SceI in order to excise marker genes in model plants and improved crop plants.

Meganucleases, such as the natural Meganuclease I-SceI, are rare restriction endonucleases used to induce unique site-directed double-strand breaks in the genome of organisms.

"It {the deal}demonstrates once again the will of the plant field to move toward rational methods of genome engineering and the potential industrial value of our technology,"​ said Isabelle Bressac, VP business development of Cellectis​. BASF echoed her thoughts with Dr. Jürgen Logemann, VP Technology managament of BASF Plant Science, adding : "Meganucleases have promising applications in new marker excision technologies developed by BASF Plant Science."

All BASF activities involving plant biotechnology fall under the BASF​ Plant Science umbrella, and for which the mother has earmarked €700 million in investment by 2010.

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