Senesco Technologies, Inc. announced today that it significantly delayed natural leaf senescence (aging) in Arabidopsis plants (Arabidopsis thaliana) by reducing the expression of its proprietary deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) gene. This delayed senescence is accompanied by substantially larger leaf size and provides strong indication of the ability to increase crop yield, a long standing industry objective. 

DHS is a regulating gene that triggers the initiation of senescence and significantly delays natural leaf aging. This extension of plant life in the field is indicative of the ability to increase crop yield because plants are able to invest more energy and resources to the production of seed. More or larger seed results in higher yield and therefore, increased profit opportunity. 

Ruedi Stalder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Senesco commented, ``Senesco's proof of
concept indicates that silencing the DHS gene has broad based application because our results indicate that this gene is involved in the initiation of senescence in all plant tissues. We are excited about this breakthrough and the prospect of enhancing the yield of all horticultural and agronomic crops as a result of these new developments.'' 

Senesco Technologies, Inc. is an agro-biotechnology company developing proprietary, patent-pending genetic technologies designed to slow the rate of senescence, the natural cellular breakdown and aging of plants and produce. The Company is exploring approaches for implementation of the technology by conventional breeding. Senesco's technologies are applicable to prolonging the shelf life of plants and produce, and to increasing the yield of crops by enhancing their lifespan and protecting them from damaging environmental factors. 

Company news release
N2506