Evolutionary Genomics takes first round for biofuel discovery

Evolutionary Genomics, a research company working on gene discovery technologies to help raise yields in plants grown for biofuels, has taken an undisclosed amount in a first round of funding, according to VentureWire.

The company uses a technique it calls the Adapted Traits Platform, which helps narrow down the choices when combing through large gene sets for desirable traits. Aside from work on food crops like rice and corn, EG also does work with monkeys to identify genes for HIV resistance.

Altira Group led the funding. Although the amount was not given, EG did tell VentureWire that it has raised over $7 million to date.