AOCS Division Newsletter




	printer-friendly version . send feedback on this newsletter . unsubscribe AOCS Phospholipid Division Newsletter February 2007 Herbicide-Tolerant Soybean Submitted from inform 18: 31, 2007 Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., the DuPont subsidiary based at Johnston, Iowa, USA, announced on November 28 that it had completed its U.S. regulatory submission for approval of its proprietary Optimum(TM) GAT(TM) trait in soybeans. DuPont has submitted the regulatory information on the novel trait to the USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Subject to approvals, commercialization of the GM soybeans is expected by 2009. The Optimum GAT trait is the first-ever agricultural trait developed through proprietary DuPont gene shuffling technology. It is being touted as conferring a next-generation herbicide tolerance with unsurpassed glyphosate tolerance. In addition, it will allow the incorporation of complementary ALS herbicides into a glyphosate program, giving growers the flexibility to tailor weed-control programs to local field conditions. ALS (acetolactate synthase) is involved in the synthesis of the branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine, and is the target for inhibitory action of certain herbicides. Availability of the trait will give growers a new choice in glyphosate-tolerant soybean seed that maximizes yield potential, improves crop safety, and expands weed control options. Plans call for the incorporation of the trait in corn, cotton, and other crops following its 2009 introduction in soybeans. The Optimum GAT trait is licensed to Syngenta for use in corn and soybeans and to Delta & Pine Land for use in cotton. Other stories in this newsletter: Greetings From the Chair, by Bruce Sebree AOCS Annual Meeting Call for Nominations AOCS Short Course on Lecithin Properties and Technological Functions Phospholipid Emusifiers in Reconstituted Cream (from inform) AOCS, 2710 S. Boulder, Urbana, IL 61802-6996 USA	Division Officers Chairperson Bruce Sebree phone: +1-217-451-4067 fax: +1-217-451-2693 e-mail: sebree@admworld.com Vice Chairperson Jonathan Maynes phone: +1-314-982-3162 fax: +1-314-982-2899 e-mail: Jmaynes@solae.com Secretary Gary List phone: +1-309-681-6388 fax: +1-309-681-6340 e-mail: listgr@ncaur.usda.gov Treasurer Moghis Ahmad phone: +1-847-573-0707 fax: +1-847-573-0770 Email: Moghis@jinapharma.com Member-at-Large Bernie Szuhaj phone: +1-260-489-6849 Member-at-Large Lance Colbert phone: +1-217-451-5802 fax: +1-217-451-2457 e-mail: colbert@admworld.com Member-at-Large Randy Zigmont phone: +1-203-262-7100 fax: +1-203-262-7101 e-mail: rzigmont@aol.com Member-at-Large Walt Shaw phone: +1-205-663-2494 fax: +1-205-663-0756 e-mail: waltshaw@avantilipids.com Member-at-Large Susan Gurkin phone: +1-770-986-6268 fax: +1-770-986-6282 e-mail: susan.gurkin@degussa.com Member-at-Large Willem van Nieuwenhuyzen phone: +31 72 505 5617 fax. +31 72 505 5618 e-mail: willem@lecipro.nl Immediate Past Chair Susan Carlson phone: +1-913-588-5359 fax: +1-913-588-8946 e-mail: scarlson@kumc.edu Past Chairperson Joseph Casey e-mail: JCasey@solae.com