ABI is eager to hear proposals for
collaborations using its proprietary technology to over-express proteins in
plants. ABI welcomes discussions on the collaboration of new or existing
projects. Some areas open for collaboration are listed below. For more information, contact jhoward@appliedbiotech.org.
Biofuels/Ethanol. Several hydrolytic enzymes are required for the conversion of cellulosic material into fermentable sugars. This includes a ready supply of large volumes of cellulases. ABI has over-expressed cellulase in maize germ, a by-product of the seed and are a potential source of low-cost enzymes. This technology can supply the enzymes without the upfront high capital required for microbial-produced enzymes.
Digestive Enzymes. . Providing hydrolytic enzymes used in the deconstruction of plant cell walls can allow for greater digestion of food and feed in animals. ABI’s technology allows for enzymes to be introduced directly into the food or feedstock thereby allowing the potential for much greater doses of enzymes at lower costs.
Oral Vaccines. ABI has expressed several antigens in plants as a method to orally deliver vaccines at low cost. These antigens have been used to demonstrate the elicitation of antibodies and provide protection in animals when orally delivered.
Pharmaceuticals. A non-animal source of pharmaceuticals can be produced avoiding issues around animal contaminants such as Mad Cow Disease. For example, aprotinin produced in maize has been shown to have functional and chemical equivalence with the protein isolated from its native host.
High Intensity Sweetener. ABI is developing brazzein, a natural sweetener, which has a sweetness profile of 500-2000 times that of sugar and is relatively stable.
Detoxification of nerve gas and pesticides Organophosphate hydrolase is an enzyme that can detoxify many harmful substances in vivo and in vitro including some nerve gases. This has been produced in maize for the potential of providing a ready supply upon demand.