Bayer collaborate with Precision on genome modifications

Bayer CropScience and Precision BioSciences Inc. announced they have entered into a collaborative agreement to create site-specific genome modifications in plants.

The agreement provides Bayer CropScience with non-exclusive access to aspects of Precision BioSciences proprietary Directed Nuclease Editor(TM) (DNE) technology, which can be used to develop novel traits in plants.

Precision BioSciences DNE technology uses advanced protein engineering methods to produce rationally designed, obligate heterodimer endonucleases (enzymes) which have the ability to modify single, unique sites within a large genome. Using DNE technology, crop researchers can insert multiple genes at a single site within a plant chromosome, thereby efficiently and precisely conferring desirable traits into plant species. This technology can thus streamline the trait development and breeding processes, and potentially accelerate a traits time to market.

Under this agreement, Precision BioSciences provides Bayer CropScience with multiple DNE-engineered enzymes for use across the companys crop platforms.