Dow AgroSciences LLC and Proteome Systems Limited (PSL) announced today a multi-year joint research agreement in proteomics, a rapidly emerging area of biotechnology.

Dow AgroSciences (DAS) and PSL will collaborate on several projects in the area of proteomics.
These include research to more completely characterize an entirely new class of proteins being
developed by Dow AgroSciences, and identify new enzymes and novel pathways in the
biosynthesis of plant products. This could lead to plant products with improved nutrient content.

Keith Williams, founder of PSL, commented on the research collaboration. "The word "proteome"
originated in 1994 by Marc Wilkins, a lead scientist at PSL, and describes the study and
application of PROTEins expressed by a genOME. Applying proteomics research to the study of
plants is a bit like astronomers using the Hubble Telescope to study our solar system. The
Hubble Telescope brings into much clearer focus new stars, planets or even galaxies, which in
turn tell scientists much more about our solar system – how it was created and how it works
today. Similarly, as plant or gene scientists, we seek to uncover the secrets of plants and how
they operate. Proteomics research takes the study of genes within plants to a new depth of
understanding as we determine the regulation of biosynthetic pathways or the function of
proteins in plants. With DAS as a partner, it gives us the opportunity to work with an outstanding
plant research group and demonstrate the power of proteomics to new product development. The
outcome of this research could allow us to make plants produce desirable products in a different
way or in greater quantity. Or, we could shut down the production of an undesirable product.
Either way, scientists and consumers win by achieving a more complete understanding."

Jim Petell, Director of DAS Input Agriculture Gene Discovery Research commented further. "We
seek to apply this cutting edge proteomics research to enhance and complement the extensive
library of technologies already in house, including high throughput gene expression in plants.
Applying proteomics research to these technologies takes that commitment to a new level and
we are very excited about its potential to identify new proteins and enzymes to advance
discovery research. Proteomics research will allow us to identify the functionality of genes more
precisely, at less cost than traditional technologies currently used, and in less time."

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a global leader in providing pest
management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food
supply and contribute to the safety, health and quality of life of the world's growing population.
The company employs more than 3,000 people in over 50 countries and has worldwide sales of
more than $2 billion. Dow AgroSciences and Mycogen are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Dow
Chemical Company.

Proteome Systems Limited (PSL), based in Sydney, Australia, was launched in January 1999
by proteomics scientists who have been working together for the past decade and who created
the National Australian Proteome Facility at Macquarie University. The PSL team is recognized
as a world innovator in the development of proteomics technologies. PSL is actively forming key
alliances and partnerships with a variety of companies to accelerate internal discovery research
programs and for the broad marketing of proteomic materials, supplies, and equipment developed
by PSL for proteomics applications. PSL has placed a key emphasis on remaining the world
leader in the development of new proteome technology.

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