Biotech Updates

BASF Plant Science and VIB Sign Research Agreement

September 5, 2008

BASF Plant Science and the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) have signed a cooperation agreement with a focus on plant genetic mechanisms that increase yield and improve tolerance to environmental stress such as drought and cold. The duration of the cooperation project has been set for three years.  Earlier this year, BASF and VIB signed a license agreement on yield increasing genes and extended an existing cooperation project, which aims to optimize the growth process of corn roots to enhance nutrient and water absorption.

Under the terms of the agreement, VIB-researchers, connected to Ghent University, will work on the functional and computational analysis of genetic networks responsible for yield increase and stress tolerance in plants. Researchers at BASF Plant Science's subsidiary CropDesign will then use a high-throughput screening technology to validate the effect of gene modification on plant growth and yield.

The press release is available at http://www.corporate.basf.com/en/presse/mitteilungen/pm.htm?pmid=3212&id=qYS88CrHJbcp3Ce