Korean firms sign MOU for gene editing using DNA binding proteins
In South Korea, ToolGen and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop engineered nucleases that can be used as essential tools for editing genetic information in microbial, plant, animal, and human cells. The companies will be exchanging technology and research technology exchange and research collaboration to increase biofuel yield and the creation of training programs for researchers, among others.
The two organizations will also 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.
ToolGen is a Korean company working in genome editing that has developed a proprietary technology platform for the discovery, production, and application of zinc finger proteins and TAL effector proteins, which function as specific DNA-binding proteins. Engineered nucleases are created by fusing an custom designed TAL effector/zinc finger DNA binding domain with the DNA cleavage domain of FokI, a type II restriction enzyme. By introducing DNA double-strand breaks in a pre-determined genomic locus in cell, engineered nucleases serve as an innovative tool for in vivo genome editing.
Category: Fuels
