The alliance brings together SG Biofuels’ Genetic Resource Center, a diverse library of Jatropha genetic material in the world, with the advanced biotechnology and synthetic biology tools of Life Technologies.
The partnership will initially include sequencing the Jatropha curcas genome, allowing for the introduction of the new traits targeted toward increasing the yield of the oil-producing plant. Life Technologies will also become a strategic partner in SG Biofuels.
Kirk Haney, president and CEO of SG Biofuels, said: “By combining our library of Jatropha DNA with the extensive genetic expertise and resources of Life Technologies, we have the opportunity to unlock the true potential of Jatropha as the most profitable and sustainable biofuel feedstock. Sequencing the genome will allow us to rapidly develop region-specific cultivars from the promising traits we’ve already identified.”
