Since the beginning of modern, scientifically-based plant breeding, breeders have focused the bulk of their attention on those varieties which express most clearly major desired agricultural characteristics.
Today, attempts are being made to “bring back” important traits which were lost because of this focus on a limited range of varieties. Distant ”relatives” of modern agricultural crops are being surveyed to see if they can serve as a source of valuable lost traits.
However, while crossing agricultural varieties with wild relatives is a well proven way to re-introduce desired traits, the process is long, uncertain, and expensive. In recent years, New Breeding Technologies (NBTs) have been developed which can overcome the drawbacks of traditional breeding methods.
NBTs, most notably CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, make breeding for better genetics a controlled, rationally-designed process, which brings results quickly, accurately and efficiently. thus unleashing the hidden potential of crops in the most effective way.
NBT are at the forefront of crop science for developing improved varieties with better traits.
NBT are being adopted worldwide, but at a slow pace. Innovative solutions that can ease the integration of NBT, such as robust transformation technologies, will hasten its adoption thus leading to rapid and cost effective introductions of new and better varieties.
BetterSeeds makes use of genome editing technology (CRISPR-Cas9) in order to produce new varieties, incorporating game changing traits which are not today available across all crops due to the limitations of conventional breeding.
Genome editing technologies make precise and rapid breeding possible by introducing specific, controlled and preselected changes in the plant genome.
BetterSeeds' use of advanced breeding technologies facilitates a higher success rate in the development of new and improved varieties within a relatively short period, thus requiring the investment of fewer resources per marketable variety.
BetterSeeds is led by seed industry professionals who have amassed significant practical experience in the implementation and improvement of gene editing technology for the design of new crops. BetterSeeds operates state-of-the-art molecular biology and tissue culture labs, together with controlled growth chambers and greenhouses, which enable it to efficiently develop and test its genetic platform.
Mr. Margalit has over 20 years of management experience in the life science industry. He co-founded Infigo Diagnostics Ltd and held executive positions at TransAlgae Ltd and Syngenta Group, a global leader in the ag-tech sector with over $30 billion in revenues. Mr. Margalit is an agronomist and holds an M.Sc. in Management of Technology from the Polytechnic School of Engineering of New York University.
Dr. Sherman is an expert in molecular biology and plant physiology, with extensive R&D and plant-breeding management experience. He was the director of the trait and abiotic stress-based projects at Syngenta Group, leading the implementation of new digital pheno-typing technologies. Dr. Sherman holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the Hebrew University and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Plant Science from Tel Aviv University.
With over twenty years of experience in executive management and institutional investment, Mr. Berdah has led global companies with strategic leadership and international expansion. Mr. Berdah is Chairman and President of BetterSeeds LTD and Deputy Chairman at Smart Agro Venture Capital. Before that, he was CEO of Baney Global Services, where he led the Company’s West African expansion, and CEO of Quasar Communications, leading it to acquisition by a U.S. public company.
With extensive research experience in Genome Editing and Molecular Biology, Dr. Corem is head of the genetic research array at BetterSeeds. Before that, Dr. Corem was a senior researcher at the Volcani Institute, where she focused on epigenetic breeding and the application and utilization of CRISPR gene-editing technology. Dr. Corem holds an M. Sc in Environmental Bio monitoring, Cum Laude from the University of Genoa and a Ph.D. in Plant Science from Tel Aviv University.
Mrs. Madari is a seasoned Financial Officer with experience in the global tech industry. Mrs. Madari held C-level positions at both Headsense Medical Ltd. and the Targetech Innovation center, where she led the financial growth of dozens of startups. Mrs. Madari holds a B.A. in Economics and Management from Ruppin College and an MBA from Ramat Gan College.
Prof. Rabinowitch, formerly the Dean of Faculty of Agriculture and Rector at the Hebrew University, is a world-renowned expert in plant physiology and an opinion leader in plant breeding. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the American ASHA and NFPA Award, The Kaye Prize, and the Rothschild Prize.
