CRISPR Webinar by Drs. Barrangon, Zhang and Church Webinar sponsored by OriGene and held by GEN, Genetic Engineering Biotechnology News This webinar on the genome editing system CRISPR/Cas9 is given by three scientists who have been pioneering... By: OriGene Technologies Inc. … Continue reading →

Today, April 25, 2014 is National Arbor Day and a reminder of the importance that individuals and groups need to plant and care for trees. This means ensuring that arboriculturists and foresters have access to the most up to date agricultural technologies. The American Chestnut blight is recent example of how genetic engineering has served as one of these vital technologies. A recent piece published in Scientific American told of the blight of the American Chestnut nearly wiped out by a fungal disease and efforts to genetically engineer the trees to resist the fungus and reintroduce healthy trees back into America forests. Ferri Jabrs A New Generation of American Chestnut Trees May Redefine Americas Forests examines the history of the American Chestnut going from its role of providing food and shelter for animals and people to nearly becoming obsolete. Before the early 1900s, one in every four hardwood trees in North Americas eastern forests was an American chestnut, providing copious food and shelter for animals and people alike. A New York City nurseryman named S. B. Parsons imported Japanese chestnut trees in 1876, which he raised and sold to customers who wanted something a little exotic in their gardens. Other … Continue reading →