October 19, 2007

The research of CCGS Associate Professor Dr. Greg Copenhaver was recently highlighted in the Business section of the Raleigh News and Observer.  The article focused on a breakthrough in plant technology referred to as “gene stacking” that was published in the October issue of PloS Genetics by Dr. Copenhaver and his colleagues at the biotech company Chromatin, Inc.  This technology utilizes the creation of autonomous, mini-chromosomes to rapidly deliver multiple exogenous genes into a plant genome that can be reliably expressed and inherited through multiple generations.  This method provides a vast improvement over the traditional, laborious methods of random single gene integration followed by selection and cross breeding.  Chromatin, Inc. was established to capitalize on the wide array of commercial applications of plant mini-chromosomes and gene-stacking.  Dr. Copenhaver is co-founder, director and consultant for Chromatin, Inc., which has a portfolio of over 40 patents, applications, and inventions covering the design, delivery and use of their proprietary technology.  The company has recently issued non-exclusive licenses to Monsanto and Syngenta.  In the future, the technology will be expanded and tested on a larger scale and will likely increase agricultural productivity, impact the production of biofuels, and provide efficient means for production of medicinal compounds in plants.

Links: N&O article, PLoS Genetics research article, Chromatin, Inc. website