Key Takeaways
- Cibus, Inc. and Biographica launch a pilot project to enhance disease resistance in oilseed rape and canola.
- The partnership combines Biographica’s AI and machine learning platform with Cibus’ expertise in crop trait development.
- The project aims to identify and prioritize gene targets for editing, advancing sustainable agricultural practices.
- This initiative aligns with efforts to improve crop health, yield, and resilience while addressing critical farming challenges.
Leveraging Technology for Crop Improvement
Cibus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBUS), a leader in agricultural technology, has partnered with Biographica, a UK-based company specializing in AI and machine learning for gene discovery, to tackle disease resistance in oilseed rape and canola.
The collaboration focuses on using Biographica’s proprietary platform to analyze and prioritize gene targets associated with disease resistance. The findings will serve as the foundation for crop improvement strategies, targeting traits that enhance crop health, yield, and quality.
Harnessing AI and Machine Learning
Biographica CEO Cecy Price highlighted the potential of combining machine learning with crop science: “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in unlocking the potential of advanced machine learning for agricultural innovation. Combining Biographica’s unique machine learning trait discovery platform with Cibus’ expertise in crop trait development allows us to unlock new insights into disease resistance, paving the way for more resilient crops and sustainable agricultural practices.”
Cibus Senior Vice President for International Development Tony Moran emphasized the benefits of the partnership: “We are excited to work alongside Biographica to identify impactful gene targets, enabling the development of crop varieties that can withstand disease pressure in the field with benefits for farmers, the environment, and food security.”
Focus on Disease Resistance
Dr. Greg Gocal, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Cibus, emphasized the importance of disease resistance in modern farming: “We have made plant disease resistance an important pillar of our work. Developing durable disease resistance in plants will require identifying multiple modes of action. This partnership with Biographica is an important extension of our work in building our inventory of gene targets associated with developing different modes of action for this important trait.”
Driving Sustainable Agriculture
This pilot project underscores the commitment of Cibus and Biographica to advance sustainable agriculture through innovative technology. By accelerating the development of improved crop varieties with advanced disease-resistant traits, the collaboration aims to deliver solutions that benefit farmers and the environment while addressing food security challenges globally.
