Agrisciences

Directed evolution for improved transgene expression in GM crops

Improve activity of transgenes by directed evolution:

• Adapt microbial genes for optimal expression and activity in a plant system
• Change toxins specificity for insect control
• Insertion of new synthesis pathways to increase nutritional value of plants: production of vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids or omega 3 fatty acids.

Optimization of synthesis of chiral and complex agrochemicals

Rising demand for complex and chiral molecules agrochemicals
due to:

• Development of chiral molecules in order to increase activity and reduce toxicity (example: R-napropamide vs S-napropamide)
• Development of bioinspired molecules, such as pheromones, which are complex chiral molecules

Proteus can develop biocatalytic pathways to optimize production
processes for chiral molecules:

• enzymatic resolution of a racemic product
• development of a new pathway for chiral synthesis
• generate Intellectual Property on alternative pathways

Development of new products for biocontrol and biostimulants

Biopesticides: DIETETIC project

• The goal of the project is to identify protein toxins exhibiting insecticide activities against the corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera).

• 1300 strains of Proteus collection were sequenced and screened for insecticide activities against the larva of the corn rootworm.

• Patent pending on novel protein toxins

• Proteus is looking for industrial partners

Biofungicides: FONGIZYME project

The goal of the project is to identify enzymatic cocktails exhibiting fungicide activities against Botrytis cinerea

• Mode of action: hydrolysis of the fungi cell wall
• Supported enzymes used in order to increase stability

Biostimulants / biofertilisers

• Isolation of new strain from soils, roots
• Characterization of strains