News Release

09-03-09

Contacts:
Bridget Anderson, Pioneer Hi-Bred, (515) 270-3120, bridget.anderson@pioneer.com
Stephen Howell, Plant Sciences Institute, (515) 294-5252, shh@iastate.edu
Meg Gordon, Plant Sciences Institute Communications, (515) 294-3945, mbgordon@iastate.edu
Dan Kuester, News Service, (515) 294-0704, kuester@iastate.edu

Pioneer Hi-Bred and the Plant Sciences Institute at ISU Announce Research Collaborations

Agreements for New Trait Development Technology and Improved Corn Drought Tolerance

DES MOINES, Iowa, and AMES, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2009 - DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred and Iowa State University today announced two multi-year, exclusive research collaborations to develop a new technology to more effectively develop biotech traits in plants and to improve drought tolerance in corn. Under the agreements, Pioneer will fund the work of researchers at Iowa State involved in the collaborative projects. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

"We look forward to working with the Plant Sciences Institute to find new ways of providing sustainable solutions for challenges our customers face," said Mike Lassner, vice president -- Pioneer Trait Discovery and Technology. "This partnership will bring together expertise of two leaders in plant biotechnology to more efficiently address these key research needs."

"The technologies to be developed are important for safeguarding our crops and sustaining richness of our agricultural resources," said Stephen Howell, director -- Plant Sciences Institute. "The challenges can be better met by combining the efforts of these two leading public and private institutions."

The first agreement deals with developing new technology for an improved method of integrating DNA into the plant genome to facilitate molecular gene stacking for more effective and efficient development of individual traits and trait combinations. In the second agreement, markers associated with traits such as drought tolerance will be identified in corn lines, to provide new tools for screening and developing new corn hybrids containing these traits.

The Plant Sciences Institute is dedicated to advancing fundamental discovery of plant systems and new molecular technologies that support a sustainable biobased future. Institute researchers are Iowa State faculty, whose research efforts help feed a growing world population, strengthen human health and nutrition, improve crop quality and yield, foster environmental sustainability and expand the uses of plants for biobased products and bioenergy. The Institute supports the training of students and promotes new technologies to aid in the economic development of agricultural industries throughout Iowa. The Institute is supported through public and private funding.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

©, SM, TM Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer Hi-Bred. © 2009 PHI

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