Victorian plant genetics company launched

Most of Australia's staple foods would be altered through genetic technologies within the next 20 years, according to one of the nation's most celebrated scientists.

But, speaking at the launch of a new plant DNA company, Sir Gustav Nossal said this did not necessarily mean genetic modification.

"In the long term, genetics will bring untold benefits to agriculture in terms of resistance to disease and nutritional improvements," Nossal said.

"DNA fingerprinting can be used for improvement without manipulation, so we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief because this launch is in no way controversial."

His comments came at the unveiling of Australia's first dedicated agricultural biotechnology company, AgGenomics, which has been established to help plant breeders identify commercial traits with a view to selective breeding.

The company is a joint venture between the commercial arm of Victoria's Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture Victoria Services, and listed Melbourne company Genetic Technologies.

Genetic Technologies executive chairman Dr Mervyn Jacobson said AgGenomics was the logical extension of the work his company had been doing over the past 11 years in the field of human DNA testing.

He said the new company would use state-of-the-art technology, incorporating molecule marking, structural and functional genomics, DNA sequencing, biochips and bioinformatics at a specialised facility based at LaTrobe University, Bundoora.

"The facilities are unrivalled anywhere in Australia and our joint venture partner has a strong track record in this area," Jacobson said.

"At the end of the day what is surely important is to take new discoveries and knowledge out of the research laboratories and into the community and industry, and in this case on to the farm, and to do it in a safe and reliable way and that's what AgGenomics plans to do."

DNRE executive director of agriculture Dr Bruce Kefford said the technology of AgGenomics meant not only the capability for high-speed gene discovery work, but also the ability to identify the function of specific genes.

Kefford said that Agriculture Victoria's own research into dairy industry forage plants such as rye grass and clover could benefit from the technology by identifying genes to improve the growing performance of the plants, particularly in arid areas of Australia.

"It will also be of use to other private companies that are interested in plants and who want to identify a suite of genes and their functions in the hope it may lead to a patent and exploitation of these genes," he said.

Kefford said the joint venture was a fine example of the Victorian Government initiatives at work to provide facilities and teams of people with expertise and connect them with commercial groups to create a mix of scientific and commercial capabilities.

"We have the scientific skills and now we have the really great equipment," he said.

"What this venture brings is commercial skills and together we expect some outstanding synergies."