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SG Biofuels and Life Technologies team up to develop high-yield oil crops
The Jatropha curcas (Photo: RK Henning)
Californian companies SG Biofuels and Life Technologies Corporation have formed a partnership to take forward the development of biofuel sourced from Jatropha crops.
SG Biofuels said the alliance will bring together its Genetic Resource Center, which it said features the “largest and most diverse library of Jatropha genetic material in the world”, with the biotechnology tools provided by Life Technologies.
The companies, both based in northern San Diego, will initially work to sequence the Jatropha curcas genome, working to develop new variations of the oil-producing plant with increased yields.
True potential
“By combining our library of Jatropha DNA with the extensive genetic expertise and resources of Life Technologies, we have the opportunity to unlock the true potential of Jatropha as the most profitable and sustainable biofuel feedstock,” said Kirk Haney, President and Chief Executive Officer of SG Biofuels.
“Sequencing the genome will allow us to rapidly develop region-specific cultivars from the promising traits we’ve already identified.”
Native to Central America, Jatropha curcas is a non-edible shrub that has seeds containing significant amounts of oil that can be turned into biodiesel and other fuel substitutes.
Biofuel crop developers say the plant can be effectively grown on marginal lands that are considered undesirable for other crops.
SG Biofuels, which has its headquarters in Encinitas, is aiming to produce a crude oil from Jatropha for less than a dollar a gallon.
SG Biofuels and Life Technologies Team to develop high-yield oil crops
Californian companies SG Biofuels and Life Technologies Corporation have formed a partnership to take forward the development of biofuel sourced from Jatropha crops.
SG Biofuels said the alliance will bring together its Genetic Resource Center, which it said features the “largest and most diverse library of Jatropha genetic material in the world”, with the biotechnology tools provided by Life Technologies.
The companies, both based in northern San Diego, will initially work to sequence the Jatropha curcas genome, working to develop new variations of the oil-producing plant with increased yields.
“By combining our library of Jatropha DNA with the extensive genetic expertise and resources of Life Technologies, we have the opportunity to unlock the true potential of Jatropha as the most profitable and sustainable biofuel feedstock,” said Kirk Haney, President and Chief Executive Officer of SG Biofuels.
“Sequencing the genome will allow us to rapidly develop region-specific cultivars from the promising traits we’ve already identified.”
Native to Central America, Jatropha curcas is a non-edible shrub that has seeds containing significant amounts of oil that can be turned into biodiesel and other fuel substitutes.
Biofuel crop developers say the plant can be effectively grown on marginal lands that are considered undesirable for other crops.
SG Biofuels, which has its headquarters in Encinitas, is aiming to produce a crude oil from Jatropha for less than a dollar a gallon.
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