Staff Scientist at PROGENESIS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. email: info@progenesistechnologies.com - Huntington, West Virginia, United States
Progenesis is using genetic engineering to commercialize the production of bacterial alginate biopolymers. Alginates, currently obtained from seaweed, are used in industrial applications such as textile manufacturing and waste water treatment. They are also used to enhance texture and as emulsifiers in food and personal care products. Biomedical applications include wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering and 3-D stem cell/tumor cell growth.Through the use of genetic engineering Progenesis has modified Pseudomonas bacteria that produce alginate so they lack production of any deleterious products and opportunistic pathogenicity of concern to the FDA. The company is currently developing alginates of unique composition, not found in seaweed to enhance the performance of alginate biopolymers in selected applications. The goals of Progenesis are to provide a reliable, safe source of alginate biopolymers as an alternative to seaweed alginate, whose future could be threatened by global warming and ocean acidification. In addition bioengineering of the Pseudomonas bacteria will produce a suite of unique alginates, not found in seaweed, that could enhance its use in current applications and promote its use in new applications. Progenesis welcomes inquiries and potential partnerships in helping the company reach its goals