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Nebraska University, San Diego Company Team Up for Genetic Crop Research

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 July 2005, 15:01 CDT

Jul. 19--Genetic research that creates resistance to diseases, drought and other crop problems is the basis for an agreement between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and iDiverse Inc., a new San Diego company.

UNL plant pathology professor Martin Dickman developed gene technology that can improve many crops, from bananas to wheat, leading to licensing and research agreements between UNL and iDiverse.

Dipanjan Nag, operations director for UNL's technology development office, said the university is part owner of iDiverse and would receive licensing royalties once the improved crops reach the commercial market.

"I would say it's a huge victory for Nebraska to have a company from the West Coast come in and work with us," Nag said.

Dickman said iDiverse's support would help him discover the full extent of disease and stress protection that the genes can provide. Prem Paul, UNL vice chancellor for research, said the technology can help feed the world's expanding population within its land and water resources.

John Serbin, chief business officer for iDiverse, said the company is seeking $5 million to support Dickman's research and to bring potential products to field tests.

The money would pay two laboratory workers and three or four people to conduct field tests, leading to commercial use, Serbin said.

Administrative headquarters for iDiverse would remain in San Diego, he said, and the testing would be done in Nebraska.

As products for various crops are proved in field tests, he said, they likely would be licensed to large corporations that specialize in bringing new crop varieties to the world market.

Serbin said he worked for a company that supported Dickman's research and helped form iDiverse after that company moved to other projects.

The other iDiverse officers are John Burr, president, and Ben Chambers, legal counsel.

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Source: Omaha World-Herald

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