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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION
CONTACT:
Mimi Ricketts,
NCGA, 636-733-9004, ext. 112
ricketts@ncga.com
July 13, 2004
National Corn Growers Association Announces Valuable Maize Genome Data Now
Available To Scientists
Ceres, DuPont, Monsanto Transfer Genetic Information to Improve Public
Research
(ST. LOUIS) July 13, 2004 – Valuable
maize (corn) research is now available to research scientists working
to sequence the maize
genome, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced today.
Ceres, Inc., Monsanto Company, and DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred
International, Inc., have transferred their maize sequencing information
to a searchable database on the Internet hosted at the Donald Danforth
Plant Science Center.
After completing a licensing agreement downloadable on the NCGA Web
site at www.ncga.com, scientists can access the research at www.maizeseq.org.
“Access to these gene sequences will help public-sector researchers
more quickly develop corn plants with improved agronomic performance
and profitable quality traits,” said Patrick Schnable, professor
and director of the Center for Plant Genomics and past chair, Maize
Genetics Executive Committee.
In March, NCGA announced the three industry leaders would share their
corn genome sequence data, which combined with the corn sequence data
already in the public domain will significantly accelerate the identification
of genes within the entire corn genome.
This project underscores
NCGA’s continued commitment to advancements
through research. NCGA took a leading role in getting the Plant Genome
Initiative signed into law in 1997 and continues to support this important
effort. With the availability of sequencing data from Ceres, DuPont
and Monsanto, the corn genome could be completely sequenced by 2007,
potentially years ahead of when it would have been completed without
this initiative.
The NCGA’s mission is to create and increase opportunities for
corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn’s profitability
and usage. NCGA represents more than 33,000 members, 25 affiliated
state corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers
who contribute to state checkoff programs.
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit
institute with a global vision to improve the human condition through
basic plant research. Please visit www.danforthcenter.org for additional
information.
Ceres, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company utilizing multiple
integrated plant genomics technologies to develop innovative products.
For more information on Ceres, see: www.ceresbiotechnology.com
Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock
producers, and grain and oilseed processors. DuPont is a science company,
delivering science-based solutions in food and nutrition, health care,
apparel, home and construction, electronics and transportation that
make a difference in people’s lives.
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity
and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see: www.monsanto.com.
# # #
The National Corn Growers
Association mission is to create and increase opportunities for corn
growers in a changing world and to enhance corn’s
profitability and usage. NCGA represents more than 33,000 members,
25 affiliated state corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands
of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs.
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