News

Monsanto to collaborate with Second Genome

Monsanto is working with the company called Second Genome to help farmers better manage environmental challenges through microbiome-based solutions.  A news release announcing the collaboration says the arrangement leverages Monsanto’s genomic databases with Second Genome’s analysis of microbial function.  The companies say the goal is to develop insect-control solutions by expanding the diversity of novel proteins.

Under the agreement, Second Genome will use bioinformatics to predict the efficacy of beneficial proteins from the microbiome to control harmful insects.

Monsanto biotechnology lead Tom Adams says the collaboration highlights how biology and data science are converging to work on new solutions to old problems.

The agreement allows Monsanto to pursue commercial opportunities resulting from insect-control research in agriculture.  At the same time it allows Second Genome to apply the discoveries in healthcare and other industries.