Life Technologies and SG Biofuels Complete Sequence of Jatropha Genome

PRNewswire.com

Sequence Combined with Largest Germplasm Library Accelerates Development of Promising Energy Crop

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: LIFE), a provider of innovative life science solutions and SG Biofuels, Inc., a bioenergy crop company, today announced they have completed sequencing the Jatropha curcas genome to 100x coverage, using the SOLiD™ 4.0 System by Life Technologies. The sequence significantly accelerates the identification of key traits for the oilseed-producing crop and advances its development as a high yielding, low-cost source for next generation biofuel.

Working in strategic alliance with Life Technologies, SG Biofuels will use the sequence to generate a high quality Jatropha reference genome. The genome will be compared to sequences generated from SG Biofuels' germplasm library of more than 6,000 unique Jatropha genotypes – the largest and most diverse collection of Jatropha germplasm in the world – to identify molecular markers and trait genes to accelerate development of elite cultivars with vastly superior yields and profitability. This work will also advance the introduction of transgenic plants with further improved traits.

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