Origin is currently working under a co-operating agreement with Chinese Agricultural University to use Simple Sequence Repeat markers to analyze the heterotic grouping of maize germplasm. Our results established several heterotic groups, which will greatly enhance conventional breeding and raise the efficiency of the breeding process. We are also developing markers for the selection of disease resistance lines to try to accelerate the breeding process. In addition to using DNA Marker for assisted breeding, we also successfully built the fingerprint libraries for both corn and rice, using it for variety protection, and for purity and true identity analysis.
For conventional breeding, Origin established technological co-operations with top universities and research entities in China including Peking University, China Agricultural University, Henan Agricultural University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Academy of Agriculture Science, Liaoning Agricultural Academy, Yunnan Agricultural Academy, Guizhou Agricultural Academy of Science and Jilin Agricultural Academy of Science.
In biotechnology, Origin has cooperated with the Institute of Microbiology at Chinese Academy of Sciences undertaking one of Beijing Significant High-tech Achievements Transformation Projects "Transformation of Glutamate Dehydrogenase Gene of Fungus into Maize".
These co-operations are laying an important foundation for improving our research capability and enabling us to move our products into the market place.