Livermore, Calif. and ST. LOUIS -- Sandia National Laboratories and Monsanto Company today announced a three-year research collaboration that is expected to play a role in both organizations' interests in biology and bioenergy.
The arrangement is aimed at aligning Sandia's capabilities in bioanalytical imaging and analysis with Monsanto's research in developing new seed-based products for farmers, including corn products that may be able to produce more ethanol per bushel. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"A strategic relationship with Monsanto makes sense on many levels and will bolster our collective long-term objectives in bioenergy and biofuels," said Terry Michalske, director of Sandia's Biological and Energy Sciences Center.
The research, which falls under a five-year "umbrella" cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA), will initially focus on hyperspectral fluorescence imaging and spectral analysis. Researchers from the two organizations will apply Sandia's hyperspectral imaging and multivariate image analysis technology to aid in the study of plant tissue samples of interest to Monsanto.
The research is expected to enhance current crop analytical technologies, offering an additional technological resource to support Monsanto's robust product discovery engine and development pipeline. Monsanto's crop analytics research program has recently played a role in discovering new seed-based products for farmers, including corn hybrids that offer more ethanol-output per bushel and soybean varieties that produce more nutritious oils for consumers.
"Seeking out new and innovative scientific tools is an important part of how we bring forward new technologies for the farmer," said Pradip Das, director of Crop Analytics for Monsanto. "This collaboration provides Monsanto with a new opportunity to further augment our existing crop analytics program, offering our researchers another wa
'"/>
Contact: Mike Janes
mejanes@sandia.gov
925-294-2447
DOE/Sandia National Laboratories
9-Aug-2006