ToolGen & KAIST To Collaborate On Biofuel Gene Editing

KAIST partners gene editing company ToolGen to develop methods of increasing biofuel yield from microalgae.

AsianScientist (Sep. 11, 2014) – ToolGen, Inc., a Korean biotechnology company focused on the development of engineered nucleases that can be used as essential tools for editing genetic information in microbial, plant, animal, and human cells, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for technology exchange and research collaboration with the Advanced Biomass R&D Center (ABC) at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

The newly signed MOU encourages collaborations in the development of genome editing technology for microalgae modification to increase biofuel yield and the creation of training programs for researchers, among others.

In addition, the two organizations will cooperate in the improvement of biofuel yields using ToolGen’s genome editing technology, the commercialization of research outcomes, and the development of eco-friendly biofuels from biomass.

Executive director of the ABC and professor emeritus at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Yang Ji-Won commented that “improving biofuel production is crucial to accelerate the commercialization of biofuels, and collaborating with ToolGen will help us realize that goal. The importance of this MOU lies in the fact that the global chemical industry including Korea has been making substantial efforts to shift its attention from a fossil fuel-based development to a more bio-based technology.”

Kim Jin-Soo, the director of the Genome Editing Research Center at the Institute of Basic Sciences in Korea and the cofounder of ToolGen, added that “ToolGen has successfully commercialized its third generation genetic scissors, which shows a lot of promise for commercialization. Our collaboration with KAIST will serve as the driving force to create new industries and accordingly, new jobs.”

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Source: KAIST.
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