Philadelphia-based Morphotek creates genetically altered host organisms using morphogenics, a technology that alters the genome of a wide range of host cells including microbes, plants, and mammals. The resulting evolution is accelerated and the gene pool is then skimmed for the offspring that exhibit viable traits, say company officials. "Morphogenics works on all organisms," explains Morphotek CEO Nicholas Nicoladies. "The power of our technology is applicable for a wide range of manufacturing and gene discovery ... this gives us a wide variety of clients." Morphotek recently announced its first collaborative research agreement, signed Sept. 27, with Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories to develop cell lines in oncology research. Says Wyeth-Ayerst spokesman Douglas Petkus: "We were aware of their patented technology and felt it would be viable and of great worth to our project."
Though morphogenics is a new development, Massimo Pigliucci, associate professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, says the expertise that ...
