The Agbiotech Bulletin Volume 5 Issue 1 January 1997

The Agbiotech Bulletin Volume 5 Issue 1 January 1997 Published byAG-WEST BIOTECH INC. Code Number:NL97003 Sizes of Files: Text: 48.9KGraphics: No associated graphics files Biotech Discovery Will BoostOilseed Industry Researchers at the National Research Council's PlantBiotechnology Institute (PBI) in Saskatoon have discovered a geneticmodification capable of increasing the oil production of rapeseed by upto 25 per cent. Developing High Erucic Rapeseed The discovery resultedfrom efforts to increase rapeseed's erucic acid content by adding ayeast gene. The erucic acid content was increased, but overall oilcontent in the seeds also rose by 25 per cent. Industrial Uses ofS.H.E.A.R. Erucic acid and its derivatives, now obtained mainly fromH.E.A.R. Brassica napus varieties, are widely used in the chemicalindustry, where they are considered environmentally friendly and arenewable resource. The main use of the oil is in the manufacture ofplastic films, where the derivative erucamide is used as an anti-block,slip promoting agent. More recently erucic acid derivatives have beenused in the manufacture of low-calorie food additives and coatings.Substantial Economic Implications Worldwide demand for erucic acid isexpected to increase from about 40 million pounds in 1990 to 75 millionpounds by 2010. Over the same time frame, demand for the derivativebehenic acid is expected to triple to about 102 million pounds. NewsAg-West President Resigns Dr. Bill Riley has resigned as President ofAg-West Biotech Inc. and as General Manager of ICAST effective January5, 1997. Feed Centre Cements Chinese Contacts Four University ofSaskatchewan researchers visited China recently to strengthen tiesbetween the Saskatchewan and Chinese feed industry. Red Williams, PhilThacker, Vern Racz, and David Christensen all of the Department ofAnimal and Poultry Science lectured at the First International FeedIndustry Conference held in Beijing and took part in the officialopening of the Ministry of Agriculture Feed Industry Centre (MAFIC) andits new headquarters building. Foiling Aluminum Intolerance Researchersat Agriculture Canada's Lacombe Research Centre are combing oat geneticresources in search of varieties with tolerance to the aluminum foundin acidic soils. Fast method of detecting E. coli A seven-hour methodof detecting Eschericha coli in food has been developed by CornellUniversity researchers. E. coli is a food-borne bacteria that causeshemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome, two problems thatcan be deadly to children and elderly adults. Wild genes boost riceyield Also at Cornell, plant breeders have discovered genes in wildrice species that may help boost production of some of the world'smajor agricultural crops. Transgenic Cotton Has "Polyester" FibresResearchers at Agracetus of Middleton, Wisconsin report the developmentof a transgenic cotton with some of the properties of polyester.....and Colours Meanwhile, a patent for transgenic colour changes incotton has been issued to Calgene of Davis, California. Retrovirus-likecomponents identified in corn genome Every living organism has a genomethe DNA in each cell's nucleus which includes the active genes thatdetermine the organism's characteristics. However, genes make up only atiny percent of the genetic material in a cell, begging the question,"What are all those other things?" Scientists find way to eliminatejunk genes Purdue University scientists Thomas K. Hodges and LeszekLyznik have found a way to reduce the guesswork and errors in geneticengineering. The technology, which has been licensed for commercialapplication to Plant Genetic Systems, could speed the delivery ofbiotech-derived crops, and possibly even benefit human gene therapy.Scientists Narrow Search for Genes that Starve Worms Scientists at theAgricultural Research Service and Mississippi State University aremaking progress in their efforts to modify corn to express genes thatcan "starve" leaf-eating fall armyworms. Transgenic Blue CarnationsCommercialized Florigene of Melbourne, Australia will be selling itstransgenic blue "Moondust" carnations in Europe and Japan later thisyear. Regulatory Copyright Law Could Affect Research Internationaltreaties being proposed by the World Intellectual Property Organizationcould inhibit common uses of published research. Events Going PublicCIBC's Knowledge-Based Business Unit will be jointly sponsoring aseminar on Taking Your Technology Company Public on Thursday, January23, 1997. Biopesticides and Transgenic Plants A conference onBiopesticides and Transgenic Plants: New Technologies to ImproveEfficiency, Safety and Profitability will be held January 27-28, 1997in Washington, DC. Direct Seeding Direct Seeding: The EconomicAdvantage is the theme of The 9th Annual Meeting, Conference, and TradeShow of the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association. It will be heldFebruary 12-13 at the Saskatoon Prairieland Exhibition, Saskatoon,Saskatchewan. Farm Animal Genetics Canadian Farm Animal GeneticResources at the Crossroads: Crisis or Opportunity? is the topic of anInternational Speakers Forum planned for February 27-28, 1997 at LeChateau Cartier in Aylmer, Quebec. Animal Biotech Beijing The BeijingInternational Conference on Animal Biotechnology will be held June11-14, 1997 at the China Agricultural University in Beijing, China.Brassica '97 The International Society for Horticulture Symposium onBrassicas and the Tenth Crucifer Genetics Workshop will occur inRennes, France from September 23-27, 1997. BIOTECH '97 The NationalBiotechnology Network will be holding BIOTECH '97 in Toronto from March11-13, 1997 at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel. ABIC '98Planning is underway for the Agricultural Biotechnology InternationalConference 1998 (ABIC '98) which will be held June 9-12, 1998 inSaskatoon, Saskatchewan. Trends Depressing News Proponents of somethingcalled Kondratieff Wave cycles have come out with some depressingfuture trend forecasts. US Tops Canada in Biotech Support USauthorities provide more support for biotech than their Canadiancounterparts, laments an article appearing in the Ontario Farmer. TideTurning For Biotech in Germany According to an item in the journalScience, surveys indicate that 60 per cent of Germans want theircountry to play a leading role in the development of the Europeanbiotech industry. Alliances Ontario Farmers Form Alliance for BiotechR&D A farmer initiated alliance to develop agriculturalbiotechnology has been formed in Ontario. Ontario Agri-FoodTechnologies brings together players ranging from the OntarioFederation of Agriculture, growers associations, and the OntarioCattlemen's Association; to the universities of Toronto, Queen's,Waterloo, and Guelph; to major agricultural companies such as Monsanto,DuPont, Ciba, and Cyanamid. Tech Transfer Beef Development Centre ToFacilitate Tech Transfer Years of discussion and planning amongSaskatchewan's beef industry, government, and beef researchers hasresulted in an innovative concept becoming a reality. FinanceAgriBioTech Is Roundup Ready AgriBioTech has licensed Roundup Readysoybean technology from Monsanto, enabling it to market soybeans underits own AgriBioTech label. PGS/AgrEvo Deal Sign of the Times An articlein Nature Biotechnology points to the acquisition of the biotechcompany Plant Genetic Systems by the agri- chemical giant AgrEvo as akey example of the growing value of innovative, patented plantbiotechnologies. DE Gains Control of Mycogen DowElanco has bought acontrolling share in Mycogen Corp. According to the Wall StreetJournal, the purchase is a move to block Monsanto's bid for theagbiotech company. Monsanto To Spin Off Chemicals The directors ofMonsanto Co. has approved a plan to spin off its chemical business toexisting shareholders, leaving behind the company's more profitableagbiotech, pharmaceutical, and food ingredient business. Issues BiotechControversy Boon to US Company The European controversy over transgeniccrops has been a boon for Genetic ID, a US company that markets a testable to detect genetic alterations in corn and soybeans. European FoodLabelling Dismissed as Ineffective Greenpeace has dismissed theEuropean Parliament's move to label transgenic foods as ineffective.Greenpeace believes the move does not go far enough because somebiotech-derived foods are exempted. South Africa Considers BiotechRegulation The South African Department of Tourism and EnvironmentalAffairs has released a Green Paper on Biodiversity which also considersthe potential environmental impacts of biotechnology in that country.Attitudes Biotechnology, Agriculture and Our Future: A Student's View(The following essay is by Kathryn Gustafson of Macoun, Saskatchewan.Gustafson, who attends Estevan Comprehensive School) Resources FeednewsFeednews is the quarterly newsletter of the Feed Resource Centrelocated at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.It carries news and information about international feedstuff markets,opportunities for value-added processing of Saskatchewan feed crops,and developments in animal nutrition. ULearn Centre Offers Ag ResourcesThe ULearn Centre of the Extension Division of the University ofSaskatchewan offers a wide range of print material and software tosupport on-going agricultural education and research. Progrid-TA^RTechnology Assessment Progrid is a proprietary methodology formeasuring the technical and commercial readiness of technology venturesand products. It is based on the experience of major Canadiantechnology-intensive corporations, supplemented with the track recordof small and medium-size enterprises in bringing new products andservices to the market place. Genome Workshop Report The report of the1996 ISAG Comparative Genome Workshop in Tours, France is now availableon the Web. Just click on "Comparative Mapping" and choose whateverformat you prefer. People Watch Brandon Research Centre Dr. KarlVolkmar and Dr. Al Moulin have recently transferred to the BrandonResearch Centre of Agriculture Canada. IBAC The IndustrialBiotechnology Association of Canada recently elected its Board ofDirectors for 1997. We Welcome Your Input The AgBiotech Bulletinwelcomes submissions of news, ideas and articles from subscribers.Information about new developments at your company or institution,notices about new products or resources, or observations about eventsand opportunities affecting the agbiotech industry will be consideredfor publication. Credits: The Agbiotech Bulletin is published 12 timesper year on behalf of Ag-West Biotech Inc. by Westcross HousePublications, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7K OR1.