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SBIR Phase I: A protein-based biofungicide for agricultural use

Award Information
Agency: National Science Foundation
Branch: N/A
Contract: 0944433
Agency Tracking Number: 0944433
Amount: $150,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: BC
Solicitation Number: NSF 09-541
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
KTRDC Room 200L University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546
United States
DUNS: 178045907
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Ryan Shepherd
 PhD
 (510) 209-1367
 ryan.shepherd@phyllotech.com
Business Contact
 Ryan Shepherd
Title: PhD
Phone: (510) 209-1367
Email: ryan.shepherd@phyllotech.com
Research Institution
N/A
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.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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