KWS and Metabolomic Discoveries sign research agreement

Date:12-08-2014

KWS Saat AG and Metabolomic Discoveries GmbH have signed a three year metabolomics research agreement. Aim is to study and improve KWS crops on the biochemical level. Metabolomics can help to understand the underlying mechanisms of plant characteristics.

“Metabolomics is a very exciting technology for plant breeding,” says Nicolas Schauer, CEO of Metabolomic Discoveries. “Important traits, such as yield, stress tolerance, resistances or seed quality are influenced or regulated by metabolites. Here, our metabolomics and pattern recognition platform will lead to better strategies for crop breeding and help in identifying biomarker for trait prediction.”

Jens Lein of KWS: “We are pleased with the collaboration with Metabolomic Discoveries. Our key concern is to develop plant varieties that deliver high and stable yields. At the same time we see growing demands on crops with better cultivation characteristics. Metabolomics adds valuable input to our research and breeding activities.”