Fiscal Year:
2010
Title:
SBIR Phase I: A protein-based biofungicide for agricultural use
Agency:
NSF
Contract:
0944433
Award Amount:
$150,000.00
Abstract:
This SBIR Phase I project will develop a plan to use a protein normally produced in plants, to control phytopathogenic fungi. They have cloned a gene that encodes for this protein, expressed it in bacterial vectors, demonstrated activity against three phytopathogenic fungi, demonstrated activity on a grass, and they have done RNA interference to show that this gene is responsible to confer protection in plants.
The broader/commercial impact of the project will be the targeted use for organic farms. The properties of this compound seem appropriate for that use. The results of these studies will demonstrate that protein-based biofungicides are possible and they will have implications for understanding the importance of preformed plant defenses in the disruption of pathogen infection strategies.
Small Business Information at Submission:
PhylloTech
KTRDC Room 200L University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546
EIN/Tax ID:
371496667
DUNS:
N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned:
No
Minority-Owned:
No
HUBZone-Owned:
No