Hexima puts up its defensins
Thursday, 31 July, 2008
Agbiotech company Hexima [ASX: HXL] has concluded a set of trials of its defensin-based technology in cotton crops.
The trials tested the company's genetically modified strains against two common fungal diseases, verticillium wilt and fusarium wilt.
Both crops demonstrated increased yield, and the modified plants in the fusarium trial showed increased survival rates.
A third, healthy, crop was also modified with defensin to test the effect of the technology on healthy plants. The crop showed no adverse effects.
Defensins are small peptides, analogues of which are also found in humans and other animals, which help destroy bacteria and fungi. Some are also thought to have insecticidal activity.
Ultra-processed foods linked to poor health, premature death
Evidence suggests a dose-response relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and...
Shorter radiotherapy course proves safe for prostate cancer
A significantly shorter course of radiotherapy for localised prostate cancer is just as safe and...
5-in-1 meningococcal vaccine proves effective
A life-saving meningococcal vaccine covering all five common strains of the deadly disease could...
