Israeli AgTech genetics companies and academic researchers team up to apply the latest genomic selection algorithms to boost farming performance of freshwater shrimp in Asia
Beer Sheva, Ness Ziona, Israel
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April 28, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Enzootic Genetics & Innovation, NRGene and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev will create a new technological consortium to apply the latest genomic selection technologies developed by NRGene for the enhancement of Enzootic’s freshwater shrimp breeding program and performance of its proprietary all-female populations.
Enzootic Genetics & Innovation, an animal biotechnology and genetics company leading the all-female freshwater shrimp revolution, and NRGene (TASE: NRGN), an AI based genomic company operating in the agricultural industry, have signed a new technological collaboration agreement. Based on their successful cooperation from 2018 of sequencing and assembling the world’s first high-quality genome of freshwater shrimp M. rosenbergii, the two tech companies, together with researchers from the Life Sciences Department of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and the support of the Israel Innovation Authority, will harness NRGene’s novel quantitative genomics breeding tools and algorithms to Enzootic’s genetic selection program. The objective of this collaboration is the selection of superior breeding genetics that will eventually translate into an improvement in yield and revenues for farmers using Enzootic’s all-female freshwater shrimp.
“Enzootic assimilates the latest genomic big data tools to accelerate our genetic selection program. Our previous successful collaboration with NRGene, and their pioneering genomic tools, paved the way for this milestone collaboration,” said Managing Director of Enzootic Genetics & Innovation Mr. Amit Hochman. “The continual performance improvement of our all-female population is attributed to data-driven parent populations selection, through Enzootic’s hatcheries in Asia and ultimately the yields of farmers that use this proprietary mono-sex farming strategy.”
“Our new collaboration with Enzootic, alongside our past success, is part of NRGene’s strategy to support and enhance breeding of highly important aquaculture species, such as shrimp.” said Dr. Gil Ronen, NRGene’s CEO. “We continuously develop powerful big data analysis tools that navigate genetic selection programs like the one implemented in freshwater shrimp by Enzootic.”
“This collaboration, together with academic researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, creates a unique opportunity to align population quantitative genomic data, with our basic science transcriptomic and metabolic libraries, investigated and studied by our group” said crustacean endocrinologist Prof. Amir Sagi of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. “This alignment may shed new light on the understanding and regulation of key physiological processes in M. rosenbergii”.
About Enzootic Genetics & Innovation
Enzootic Genetics & Innovation is the genetic production arm and R&D center of Enzootic, a Singaporean animal genetic and biotechnology company vertically positioned to support the breeding and farming of all-female freshwater shrimp. Enzootic Genetics & Innovation’s core IP is a cell-based technology that taps into the natural sexual plasticity of shrimp to produce all-female populations, without the use of genetic modification, hormones, or chemicals. Enzootic's proprietary all-female freshwater shrimp populations are produced and supplied to farmers in key territories in Asia through Enzootic's independent hatcheries and nurseries. http://enzootic.com Follow us on LinkedIn
About NRGene
NRGene develops and commercializes cutting-edge AI based genomic tools that are reshaping agriculture and livestock worldwide. Our cloud-based software solutions are designed to analyze big data generated by next generation sequencing technologies in an affordable, scalable and precise manner. By applying our vast proprietary databases and AI-based technologies, we provide leading international agriculture, seed and food companies, with computational tools to optimize and accelerate their breeding programs. For more information visit www.nrgene.com
About Ben Gurion University in the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is the fastest growing research university in Israel, fulfilling the vision of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s legendary first prime minister, who envisaged the future of Israel emerging from the Negev. The University is at the heart of Beer-Sheva's transformation into an innovation district, where leading multinational corporations and start-ups eagerly leverage BGU’s expertise to generate innovative R&D. BGU effects change, locally, regionally, and internationally. With faculties in Engineering Sciences; Health Sciences; Natural Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Business and Management; and Desert Studies.
Contact Details
Enzootic Genetics & Innovation
Amit Hochman - Managing Director
+972 52-389-3796
NRGene
Yana Voldman - Marketing Director
+972509002844
BGU
Ehud Zion Waldoks - Deputy Spokesperson, International Media
+972546775564
