ViaLactia Biosciences (NZ) Ltd., a genomics subsidiary of Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited, and Orion Genomics, LLC, (St. Louis, MO), today announced that proprietary sequence data resulting from their 2001 research alliance to characterize the gene sequence of ryegrass will be provided to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers (CSHL, New York). CSHL researchers will use the data to annotate publicly available plant sequences with the aim of improving forage and cereal crops for traits such as greater nutritive value and higher yield. Results will be made available to the international research community through the renowned Gramene database (www.gramene.org), a genomics resource for scientists and breeders working on grasses worldwide.

"Due to the research we have conducted with Orion, ryegrass is among the best-characterised plants at a genomic level,” said Dr Kieran Elborough, Chief Scientist of the Forage Genomics program at ViaLactia. “The database of proprietary genomic information we are providing to CSHL is an enormous collection of gene sequences gathered in partnership with Orion Genomics using their GeneThresher® gene enrichment technology. This data has already been extensively studied using specifically-developed bioinformatic tools, and the transcriptional profiles of the ryegrass genes in different field conditions have been fully characterised using SAGE™ technology.”

“We are pleased to provide the ViaLactia/Orion ryegrass sequence to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where it will complement the world class annotation of plant DNA sequence in the Gramene database hosted by CSHL’s Lincoln Stein, Ph.D., and Doreen Ware, Ph.D.,” said Nathan Lakey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orion Genomics.

“The world's most important agricultural crops are grasses. Knowledge of the genomes of grasses such as ryegrass enable scientists to use 'comparative genomics' to make improvements to most cereal and forage grass crops. Modern biotechnologies such as marker-assisted breeding can then be used to bring research results to the paddock and the dinner table,” ViaLactia CEO Dr. Colin South said.

Dr. South added, "The proprietary data we are releasing to CSHL will benefit grass and cereal researchers in New Zealand and around the world. This information will enable crop genome maps to be annotated at every position where there is a match with ryegrass, and also every place where we have found a gene that has changed in its expression.”

ViaLactia Biosciences (NZ) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited, the world's biggest dairy export company. Its goals include bringing the benefits of pasture based research to the New Zealand dairy industry. For more information see www.vialactia.com or contact info@vialactia.com.

Orion Genomics is a “second code” biotechnology company developing oncology diagnostic products and generating revenue through commercialization of existing products and services. Orion’s MethylScope™, MethylScreen™, and GeneThresher™ technologies detect both normal and abnormal epigenetic patterns of genes and genomes and are used in development of diagnostic, biodefense, and agricultural biotechnology applications. Orion creates value by forging alliances with pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and agricultural research partners, as well as by building an intellectual property portfolio.