FGN Futuragene

 

TIDMFGN 
 
RNS Number : 9008C 
Futuragene PLC 
23 November 2009 
 

FUTURAGENE PLC 
 
 
FuturaGene to develop further drought and salt resistant poplars for biomass 
renewable energy with Purdue University 
 
 
23 November 2009.  FuturaGene PLC ("FuturaGene", or the "the Group", AIM: FGN), 
a leader in plant genetic research and development for global forestry, biofuel 
and agricultural markets, is to accelerate development of its proprietary 
drought and salt tolerance gene in poplar trees with another complementary 
project at Purdue University in the US. The project will receive matching funds 
from the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research (CPBR) following a highly 
competitive grant selection process. 
 
 
The focus of the research is on improving drought and salt tolerance of 
short-rotation poplar as this plant has become widely accepted as a potential 
source of biomass for use in renewable energy. 
 
 
Woody biomass is becoming an attractive alternative to fossil fuels as it 
produces fewer emissions, contributes to local economies, mitigates global 
climate change, and can increase national energy security. Poplar is also 
expected to become an important source for liquid biofuels as 
cellulose-to-ethanol technologies mature over the next few years. 
 
 
The adaptation of poplars to grow in more environmentally stressful conditions 
will enable enhanced growth of these trees on marginal lands, which are unusable 
for food or feedstuff, for large-scale production. 
 
 
The project at Purdue University is being led by Dr. Richard Meilan. 
 
 
Dr. Stanley Hirsch, Chief Executive FuturaGene commented: 
 
 
"Poplar is now widely accepted as a fast growth short rotation crop which is 
carbon neutral and can be used for energy production by combustion. The project, 
which complements others we have around the world, aims to develop the tree for 
large scale planting on land which is unsuitable for food or feedstuff 
production, frequently because of drought or saline levels". 
 
 
Dr. Meilan said: 
 
 
"It is widely believed that poplar will be a key bio-energy crop, not just in 
the US, but worldwide. However, water quality and availability are important 
issues that need to be addressed as we move forward. What we learn through our 
work with poplar will have direct commercial applicability, but this knowledge 
will also be transferrable to other key bio-energy crops." 
 
 
FuturaGene Plc 
Mark Pritchard, Chairman     +44 (0) 7802 827 846 
Dr. Stanley Hirsch, Chief Executive  +972 544 56 2724 
 
 
Evolution Securities 
Neil Elliot                      +44 (0) 20 7071 4300 
 
 
College Hill 
Adrian Duffield/Rozi Morris    + 44 20 7457 2020 
 
 
About FuturaGene PLC 
 
 
FuturaGene is a leader in plant genetic research and development for the global 
forestry, biofuel, and agricultural markets. The Group develops sustainable, 
ecologically sound technology to meet the ever increasing demands for fiber, 
fuel and food crops in the face of declining and deteriorating land and water 
resources. 
FuturaGene aims to be the leading crop technology company for biomass, second 
generation biofuel and biopower, through two main technology platforms: Cell 
Wall Modification, which helps crops grow faster, enhancing yield and 
processability; and Abiotic Stress Tolerance which enables plants to grow in 
harsh, dry, salty environments or protects yield when plants are stressed by 
these factors. 
The Group's most advanced technologies are for yield improvement in sustainable 
industrial forestry and it has strong partnerships with leading international 
forestry and agriculture companies, such as Suzano, Forage Genetics (Land 'O 
Lakes), China Academy of Forestry (CAF), AA Alliance and Targeted Growth. The 
Group has established broad applications of its technology in key crops 
including eucalyptus, poplar, alfalfa and corn. 
 More information is available at www.futuragene.com. 
 
 
About CPBR 
The Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research (CPBR) is a not-for-profit 
membership corporation comprised of more than 90 U.S. research universities, 
companies, and trade associations. CPBR speeds the transfer of plant 
biotechnologies from the research laboratory to the marketplace, expanding 
economic opportunities through university research and global networking. CPBR 
operates through a highly competitive project selection process, which includes: 
Industrial evaluation of research concepts to insure industrial relevance and 
peer review to insure scientific excellence. 
 
 
CPBR supports biotechnology research that has practical applications; advances 
technological innovations based on new understandings and uses of plants and 
other organisms; provides multidisciplinary training and research opportunities 
for a new generation of scientists and engineers; and connects industry needs 
with university and industry suppliers. CPBR is US federally funded. 
 
 
About Dr. Richard Meilan 
Dr. Meilan received a joint Ph.D. in botany (plant molecular biology) and 
forestry (tree physiology from Iowa State University in 1990. After working as a 
Rockefeller Foundation-funded post-doctoral research fellow, he joined the 
faculty in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of 
Missouri-Columbia. He was on the faculty in the Forest Science Department at 
Oregon State University for nine years before going to Purdue University (PU) in 
October 2003. At PU, he is an associate professor of molecular tree physiology. 
 
 
In his laboratory at Purdue, Meilan uses molecular tools to investigate the 
genetic mechanisms by which key aspects of tree growth and development are 
controlled. He is also attempting to domesticate and add value to various tree 
species by genetically engineering them to express genes that impart 
environmentally beneficial and commercially important traits. 
 
This information is provided by RNS 
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange 
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