Johnston, Iowa
March 6, 2008
New facility combines
cutting-edge robotics, imaging for 24/7 research
DuPont today opened the doors to a revolutionary approach to
evaluating advanced plant genetics and new biotechnology traits
that the company says will help increase productivity. DuPont
business Pioneer Hi-Bred opened a new research and greenhouse
facility that brings together cutting-edge robotics and imaging,
and the capability to grow test plants at an accelerated rate.
“The technology in this new, state-of-the-art research facility
will significantly increase the rate at which we bring new and
better products to our customers to meet increased demand for
grain for food, feed, fuel and materials,” said William S.
Niebur, DuPont vice president, Crop Genetics Research and
Development.
The 12,000 square foot facility expands the capacity of
proprietary FAST Corn technology and introduces robotics to
facilitate testing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It increases
testing throughput eight-fold over the original FAST Corn
facility and process.
“Innovation is at the core of our customers’ success,” Niebur
said. “This new high throughput approach is exciting news for
corn growers. It allows Pioneer research scientists to evaluate
advanced plant genetics and critical new traits more quickly in
more plants, ultimately delivering new discoveries faster to
Pioneer customers.”
FAST Corn – Functional Analysis System for Traits – allows
researchers to grow corn to maturity in a fraction of the time
required for traditional corn. Before FAST Corn, researchers
were required to wait for a plant to reach full maturity before
studying the affect of new traits.
Utilizing FAST Corn technology, Pioneer researchers can grow
first generation corn plants to maturity in approximately two
months, compared to more than 100 days in field conditions. And,
if the first generation results are promising, a second
generation can be planted in the greenhouse environment
immediately, instead of waiting for the next year’s growing
season as would happen in field testing.
“Testing that historically would take two to three years in a
field environment can now be completed in six to nine months,”
Niebur said.
An important element of the FAST Corn process is the use of a
fully-automated digital imaging system to precisely measure the
growth of a corn plant throughout its lifecycle. The imaging
process quantifies growth and other visual data such as plant
color. Advanced plant genetics and traits with beneficial
properties can be quickly identified in the first or second
generation, and then advanced to a field testing program.
“Field testing of new traits and genetics will always be a
critical part of the research process to ensure that products
perform predictably in a diverse set of environments,” Niebur
said. “By using these technologies, we are ensuring that only
the most promising and valuable products are advanced to field
testing.”
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation. |
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