Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University and Sygen International announced today a collaborative venture that will further establish the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a leading center for biotechnology and applied research.

Sygen International has agreed to commit $2.5 million over a 10-year period to establish the Sygen Chair in Biotechnology to enhance the research and development capacity at Western Kentucky University.

The chair holder will be a senior scientist on the WKU faculty in biology. The research activities of the chair will broadly encompass aspects of fundamental and applied research, together with consulting, supervision of postgraduate students, publications, and where appropriate, the technical support of commercial products.

An international search is underway to identify candidates with outstanding records of scholarly achievement and scientific publication, demonstrated excellence in the areas of animal quantitative genetics or genomics, and successful incorporation of M.S. or Ph.D. students into research initiatives, as well as a history of developing a research program with a focus on technology that has potential to stimulate economic development.

"This is good news for Kentucky," said Western Kentucky University President Gary Ransdell, "because biotechnology represents a critical component in Kentucky's vision for economic opportunities. Biotechnology's capacity in animal and plant breeding is the new frontier in Kentucky's new economy.

"This partnership between a public university which possesses great academic strength in biotechnology, together with a private business which is a world leader in genetics, is of enormous consequence."

"Sygen recognizes the important role of university partners in reaching our market potential," said Graham Plastow, Chief Technology Officer for Sygen. "The establishment of this teaching and research position is the first for our organization in Kentucky, but builds on decades of commitment by our business units to the state. As a result of this investment by Sygen, the Commonwealth will have additional opportunities for growth in biotechnology."

Sygen's proprietary technology, products and services enable producers and farmers to enhance meat quality and improve efficiency in the production of meat animals through the application of genetic selection. This unique combination of quantitative genetics and biotechnology, which is applicable across all livestock species, enables farmers and producers to produce higher quality and healthier non-GMO food products.

Headquartered in Oxfordshire, England, Sygen companies operate in 30 countries on five continents, with laboratories located in Franklin, Ky., USA and Cambridge, UK. Sygen companies have deep Kentucky roots. Sygen's North American swine business unit, PIC, has been headquartered in Kentucky for more than 30 years. Most recently, Sygen expanded its offices in 2003 in order to relocate its North American research operations from Berkeley, Calif., to Franklin, Ky. Sygen's technology and products add value throughout the global meat supply chain of farmers, breeders, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers.

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For information, contact University Relations at (270) 745-5428.