Posted by
kellimatthews on Jan 9, 2010 |
Life science researchers have a new partner in custom genomic research – Biota Sciences.
Launched by Floragenex to leverage its proprietary next-gen sequencing technology for researchers in vertebrate, invertebrate and other species, Biota Sciences provides services focused on meeting its clients’ research goals.
“Through Floragenex and Biota Sciences, we can create solutions for plant and animal researchers with our suite of sequencing technologies,” says Nathan Lillegard, Floragenex CEO. “We provide more sequence information per dollar, more detailed bioinformatics analysis custom tailored to our clients’ research design. Our services enable our customers to focus on their biology and analysis, rather than navigating the challenges of matching their goals with technology.”
Biota Sciences’ Services:
- SNP discovery and assay development: With or without a reference genome, services engagements are focused on delivering research ready date to be converted for your SNP genotyping system of choice.
- Linkage Mapping/Positional Cloning: Identifying polymorphic sequences associated with your trait or gene of interest as a critical tool for marker assisted selection and gene discovery efforts.
- Custom Genomic Research: Genome-wide association studies, targeted resequencing, physical map development, and whole genome sequencing projects are planned, executed, and delivered to meet your objectives and match your budget.
Supported by the resources and experience of the Floragenex lab and bioinformatics team, Biota Sciences services are lead by Dr. Jason Boone. Dr. Boone brings a genuine passion for enabling advances in genomics for all species. Biota Sciences engagements include meiotic mapping in model fish species, phylogenetic analysis of emerging research organisms, and evolutionary questions in endangered species.
Posted by
Floragenex on Jan 6, 2010 |
You know that you’re in an interesting business when the NY Times is covering the technology you use and Forbes names the leader in your target market as their company of the year. No, this isn’t Web 3.0 and Twitter, but genetic sequencing and marker assisted breeding and Monsanto; the world’s superpower in the seed industry. This is an interesting start to the decade.
In this well written and researched article, the other side of agricultural biotechnology gets some very good press. The technology described is marker assisted breeding – using genetic information to accelerate the tried and true process of crossing and selection to develop new varieties of plants. In an interesting twist of perspectives, Forbes announced that Monsanto is the 2009 company of the year. The title ‘The Planet Versus Monsanto’ is appropriate.
The ‘other side’ of ag-biotech is part of what Floragenex supports. Finding the specific segments of DNA (genetic markers) that can be linked to a specific trait, is now much quicker and easier than ever before. This technology is hitting its stride and heading up the adoption curve, as the cost of getting and applying that information keeps dropping. Projects that took years just a few years ago are being completed in months.
The scale of what Monsanto has and will accomplish in terms of the world’s food supply is astounding. When you think about the facts of our situation; population going up, arable land holding constant or decreasing, and climate changing, it’s hard to bet against a company that sees those macro economic factors as an opportunity.
While there are many that vilify the corporate giant from St. Louis, I’d also ask those same people to think about what they ate today. Given that Monsanto’s vegetable group is one of the largest vegetable seed producers in the world, the chances are pretty good that something they purchased in the last month, whether it’s fresh broccoli or ethanol in their Prius, can be traced back to Monsanto.
The seed industry is an evolving business that deserves more attention in this country. It’s an important piece of the economy that will get more coverage as we pay more attention to where our food comes from and who profits from our choices as consumers.
Posted by
Floragenex on Jan 6, 2010 |
Dr. Patrick Hayes, Professor/Associate Head – Barley breeding and products at Oregon State University connected with Floragenex in late 2008 as an early access customer. After initial trials of RAD based sequencing in barley demonstrated the power of the technology, Dr. Hayes chose Floragenex as a research partner for improving the existing genetic map in the Oregon Wolfe Barleys (OWB), a well characterized research population with a robust genetic map.
Customer Goals
- Expand the current genetic map for OWB.
- Evaluate RAD based sequencing in comparison to other SNP development and genotyping systems.
- Obtain sequence information that can be used as a reference for future genomic studies.
SNP Discovery
Floragenex sequenced two parental lines to identify polymorphisms in the bi-parental mapping population. These sequenced based markers would serve as potential markers on a genetic map.
SNP Genotyping
To evaluate the effectiveness of RAD based markers, 93 doubled haploid progeny of OWB were genotyped using RAD based sequencing. From that sequence information Floragenex assayed over 400 new SNP markers that were then placed on an existing genetic map. This information will be used in future studies focused on identifying important regions of the barley genome.
