Phytola’s Scientific Director Dr. Randall Weselake was among 15 researchers honored at TEC Edmonton’s Innovation Makes Sense event last October. The event recognizes the essential role that the patenting process plays in moving breakthrough research from the bench to the market.
The creation of new intellectual property, of which patents are one example, is also a cornerstone of the capabilities Phytola brings to its industry partners. Dr. Weselake’s patent Diacylglycerol Acyltransferases from Flax was one of 16 granted to University of Alberta researchers by the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2012.
The patent covers sequences and use of flax diacylglycerol acyltransferases to increase oil content and modify fatty acid composition in oilseeds, two priorities of the oilseed industry.
Phytola is currently looking for partners for the co-development and commercialization of this technology.
