(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) BioResource International, Inc. (www.briworldwide.com), a North Carolina agricultural biotechnology company, announces today that their research team presented its latest results on thermostable keratinase improving the nutritive value of feather meal at the 2011 meeting of the Poultry Science Association. The company also served as a bronze sponsor for the event. (more…)

(Washington, D.C.) Scientists and policymakers participating in a panel at the BIO International Convention titled “Winning the Future: Does U.S. Ag Policy Support or Discourage Innovation?” called on policymakers to support a science-based regulatory review system and recognize the many benefits of ag biotech innovations. The panelists said the current regulatory environment discourages investments in new biotech crops because of complexity and costs. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) BioResource International, Inc. (www.briworldwide.com), a North Carolina agricultural biotechnology company, announces today its sponsorship of the North Carolina Pavilion at the 2011 BIO International Convention to be held June 27-30, 2011 in Washington, DC. The convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry. Organized by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, more than 90 companies will be participating as part of the delegation from the state. The pavilion area will be located in tradeshow space # 3519. (more…)

by Deborah Thompson, Ph.D.
Special to NCTechNews

Genetic engineering promises solutions to problems of agricultural importance including plant tolerance to stress caused by drought and salinity, resistance to insect and fungal pests, and weed prevention. However, consumer concerns about genetic engineering have slowed the release of biotech crops. A genetic modification technique called oligonucleotide-directed repair (ODR) can introduce subtle improvements to plants while avoiding some of those concerns. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) Growing ag biotech companies in North Carolina will soon have a new place to develop their products. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. announced plans today to build a 50,000-square-foot agricultural research center with 18,000 square feet of world-class research greenhouse space near Research Triangle Park. It will be called North Carolina’s Alexandria Ag-Tech Center and can accommodate multiple tenants. (more…)

by Deborah Thompson, Ph.D.
Special to NCTechNews

According to the USDA, over 430 million metric tons of rice were consumed worldwide in 2008, making it one of the world’s staple crops. But rice production has historically been threatened by disease and insect pests. Rice is Egypt’s second largest export crop. In Egypt, larvae of the rice stem borer moth (Chilo agamemnon) are major insect pests, which cause yield loss as high as 10 – 30%. Unfortunately, classical rice breeding has not improved resistance to this insect. Additionally, because the moth larva enters the rice stem, it is protected from most applied pesticides. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) North Carolina Agricultural Biotechnology company BioResource International, Inc. (www.briworldwide.com) announces today that president and co-founder Giles Shih, Ph.D. has been named as chairman. His father and co-founding partner Jason Shih, Ph.D. is stepping down from the chairmanship role and will continue his work with the company in an advisory capacity. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) BioResource International, Inc. (www.briworldwide.com), a North Carolina agricultural biotechnology company, announces today that Chairman and Co-founder Jason Shih, Ph.D. will be the opening speaker in the first plenary session of the Asian Pacific Poultry Conference (www.appc2011.tw). The conference will be held at the Taipei International Convention Center in Taiwan March 20-23, 2011. More than 500 scientists and researchers from around the world are expected to attend. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) BioResource International, Inc. (www.briworldwide.com), a North Carolina agricultural biotechnology company, announces today that BRI President Giles Shih has been named a Top 50 Entrepreneur by Business Leader Media. These entrepreneurs in the Triangle area were honored during an event held in Raleigh on March 3, 2011. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) BioResource International, Inc. (www.briworldwide.com), a North Carolina agricultural biotechnology company, announces today its continued support of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (www.foodshuttle.org) through sponsorship of the 17th Annual Taste of Hope Gala, taking place January 23, 2011. BRI has been a supporter of the organization since 2008. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) A new advisory council has begun to explore the sky-high possibilities of North Carolina’s most down-to-earth business sector. Agricultural leaders who are members of the North Carolina Agricultural Biotechnology Advisory Council have met for the first time at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. The 21 leaders from across the state came together to explore ways to develop valuable new opportunities that can be harvested from North Carolina’s fertile agriculture and biotechnology fields. (more…)

(Washington, D.C.) Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today released its preliminary analysis of the House version of the fiscal year 2011 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. There are 192 projects in the bill, costing taxpayers $143,890,000, which is a 40.4 percent decrease from the 322 projects in fiscal year 2010 and a 34.5 percent decrease from the fiscal year 2010 cost of $219,700,000. House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) added $9,155,000 for nine projects, a number surpassed only by House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee member Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who added nine projects at a cost of $9,439,000. (more…)