Smart breeding technology a topic at SD meeting

Cibus Global Leadership to Present at Plant and Animal Genome XIX Conference
Local San Diego-Based Biotech Leader to Discuss their RTDSTM Technology

San Diego, Calif. (January 12, 2011)—Cibus Global, a pioneering plant trait development firm, will host a workshop on Tuesday, January 18 at the 2011 International Plant and Animal Genome Conference. At the workshop, which will be held from 1:30 - 3:40 p.m. in Royal Palm Salon 4, Cibus scientists will discuss their proprietary Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS™), an environmentally-safe, non-transgenic smart-breeding technology that enables seed producers to develop crops with commercially valuable characteristics.

The workshop will be conducted by members of Cibus’ science management team including Senior Vice President of Research, Dr. Peter Beetham, Vice President of Research, Dr. Greg Gocal, Research Fellow, Dr. Christian Schöpke and Director of Biochemistry, Dr. Mark Knuth. The management team bios are available at www.cibus.com. “We are pleased to present the latest developments in Cibus’ RTDS technology to the larger scientific community right in our own backyard,” said Gocal.

Cibus’ first commercial canola crop is close to being introduced in North America, and the company is also currently working with flax, rice and a wide range of other essential crops. RTDS™ provides a viable alternative to transgenic crops by copying natural methods in a highly targeted way. Unlike a transgenic approach, RTDS™ is a directed mutagenesis procedure that effects a precise change in the very same plant species being altered, thus avoiding the introduction of foreign genetic material from one plant species into another.

“This is an exciting time for Cibus, and the International Plant and Animal Genome Conference will provide an ideal backdrop to discuss current and potential applications for RTDS,” Gocal added.

The Plant and Animal Genome XIX Conference will be taking place from January 15-19, 2011, at the Town and Country Convention Center in San Diego, Calif. PAG XIX will provide an opportunity for leading genetic scientists and researchers from around the world to gather and discuss advances in plant and animal research and related areas. Organizer Scherago International estimates that scientific attendance is expected to be 2,200-2,300.

In addition to their workshop, Cibus will also host a booth (#126) on the exhibition floor, where executives from the company will be able to talk with interested guests on a more personal level. Visit the PAG XIX website (http://www.intl-pag.org/) for a full schedule of planned workshops and a floor plan of exhibition booths.