Syngenta scientist Mary-Dell Chilton, was instrumental in early research on plant biotechnology that led to development of the first transgenic plant in 1982, while she was on faculty at Washington University in St. Louis. Earlier in her career, with collaborators at the University of Washington, she studied how agrobacterium, a naturally occurring plant pathogen, infects plants. Dr. Chilton’s research team next demonstrated that a single gene responsible for causing disease could be inactivated without adversely affecting the gene-transfer process or harming the plant cell. They also showed that new genes from other organisms could be placed into the agrobacterium DNA, and that these genes would be incorporated into the plant’s chromosomes and pass specific traits to the plant. When plants were grown from these transgenic cells, they were fertile and passed the new genes through seed to future generations of plants. Agrobacterium is still used today as one method to introduce new genetic material into plants for crop improvement. Even other gene insertion methods used in plant biotechnology have benefited from the pioneering research conducted two decades ago by Mary-Dell Chilton and her collaborators.

The Present:

Plant biotechnology has become one of the most widely accepted technology developments in the history of U.S. agriculture. Many farmers have found crops produced through plant biotechnology to be more efficient, economical and environmentally favorable for use on their farms. For example:

• Soybeans have been improved through plant biotechnology to be resistant to applications of glyphosate herbicide – a potent, broad spectrum weed control product. This development has simplified and improved the effectiveness of weed control programs for soybean farmers and has fostered their use of no-till agricultural methods. In 2001, nearly 70 percent of the soybeans planted in the United States were biotechnology varieties.
• Cotton plants have been improved through plant biotechnology to contain genes from the Bt bacteria, and thus to produce their own internal protection from insect feeding. This "Bt cotton" has improved insect control programs for many cotton farmers while allowing them to use fewer applications of insecticides. Glyphosate resistant cotton varieties have also been developed. In 2001, nearly 70 percent of the cotton grown in the United States consisted of varieties improved through biotechnology.
• Corn plants have been improved through plant biotechnology to contain genes of Bt bacteria, and thus to produce their own internal protection from insect feeding. For example, current "Bt corn" hybrids are protected from feeding of the European corn borer, a sporadic but destructive pest. As an added benefit, Bt protects the corn plant from damage by stalk-rotting fungi, which corn borers had tracked into the interior of the stalk during feeding. Bt corn products that will be introduced in the near future will be resistant to feeding from corn rootworm, the single most destructive and costly pest in the Corn Belt. Glyphosate resistant corn hybrids also have been developed. More than 25 percent of the U.S. corn acreage in 2001 was planted with hybrids improved through biotechnology.

Current developments of plant biotechnology have focused largely on how crops are produced. Future advances will improve both input traits and the actual quality of the crop itself. For example:

• Hardier crops that grow better in extreme conditions such as heat, excessively dry or wet soils, or on other lands currently unfit for farming.
• Foods with increased nutrient levels, such as "golden rice" that contains enhanced levels of iron and beta-carotene (vitamin A) to reduce risk of childhood blindness in developing countries.
• Crops that stay fresher longer to produce higher quality for consumers, or to allow better distribution in remote regions of the world.
• Foods with fewer fatty acids and cooking oils with reduced saturated fat for healthier diets.

Q: What is the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Sciences?
A: The Franklin Institute, based in Philadelphia, has been honoring achievements in science and technology since 1824. Today the Franklin Institute awards 22 medals in various areas of scientific achievement. Award winners are selected from thousands of nominations of men and women whose achievements reflect the spirit and innovation of Benjamin Franklin himself.

Q: Why was Mary-Dell Chilton selected for this award?
A: Dr. Chilton has had a distinguished career in plant biotechnology for more than 25 years. Most notably, she led a research group while on faculty at Washington University in St. Louis that developed the first transgenic plant in 1982. That research discovery, and the many developments in plant biotechnology that have followed in the past 20 years, have made significant contributions to modern agriculture.

Q: What was the specific research that developed the first transgenic plant?
A: Dr. Chilton and her research team worked with agrobacterium, a naturally occurring plant pathogen. They demonstrated that it infects plants by inserting its own DNA into plant cells and taking over some of the plant’s cellular processes. Dr. Chilton’s research team first demonstrated that the genes responsible for causing disease could be removed from the bacterium without adversely affecting its ability to insert its own DNA into a plant cell. They also showed that new genes from other organisms could be placed into the agrobacterium DNA, and that these genes would be incorporated into the plant’s chromosomes and pass specific traits to the plant. Agrobacterium is still used today as one method to introduce new genetic material into plants for crop improvement.

Q: Was the agrobacterium process for transferring genes patented?
A: A patent application was filed in 1983 by Washington University and the patent was granted in April of 2000.

Q: How long has Dr. Chilton been involved with Syngenta? What is her current role with the company?
A: Mary-Dell Chilton joined Ciba-Geigy Corporation (a legacy company of Syngenta) in 1983 to create a biotechnology research function for that company. She has held a number of research and administrative roles, including Vice President, Agricultural Biotechnology. As a reward for her contributions and leadership, she has returned to active research with Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and today is researching improved technology for introducing genes into plants.