Martek Biosciences Corporation, an American company providing microalgae-derived products, and the Torrey Mesa Research Institute (TMRI), the genomics research centre of Syngenta, a world leading agribusiness, announced on May 29th that they have initiated a joint research and development project to find and characterise genes from microalgae.
The project will focus primarily on the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) pathway.
DHA plays a significant structural and functional role in brain and eye development and cardiovascular health.
There will be cross-royalty arrangements and Martek will retain exclusive, worldwide commercialisation rights to use the genes in microbial production of DHA, while TMRI will retain exclusive, worldwide commercialisation rights to use the genes in any agricultural crop species.
'Martek's unique skills in the biochemistry and genetics of microalgae and TMRI's extensive expertise in genomics and proteomics make for a powerful combination which should allow us to quickly identify key genes for improving DHA production," said Henry Linsert, Jr., Martek's Chairman and CEO.
DHA is the predominant fatty acid in human brain tissue and retinas and is the most abundant omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in human breast milk.
Numerous expert panels have recommended independently that infant formulas be supplemented with DHA.
Martek's microalgae-derived DHA is currently being added to infant formulas in over 60 countries worldwide.
In addition to the role of DHA in infant nutrition, an increasing number of early clinical trials have indicated a possible association between appropriate levels of DHA in the adult diet and reduced risks of cardiovascular, neurological and visual disorders.
"The isolation and characterisation of genes involved in the DHA pathway opens up the opportunity for us to add the health benefits of DHA to vegetable oils," said Dr. Steven Briggs, President and CEO of TMRI.
"Maintaining a sufficiency of DHA in our diets could ultimately prove to be more important than taking vitamin supplements, and having a low-cost and large-scale source available will be critical to making it possible," Briggs added.
Source: Martek Biosciences Corporation , and Torrey Mesa Research Institute