TMG expands biotechnology laboratory and reaches 30 million analyzes

To celebrate 20 years of operation, TMG - Tropical Melhoramento & Genética, a Brazilian company providing genetic solutions for cotton, soybeans and corn, made an investment of more than R$ 15 million in the construction and installation of a new biotechnology laboratory, at the headquarters , in Cambé (PR). The amount is part of the investment of R＄ 1 billion that TMG will allocate until 2031 in R&D.

“We are a Brazilian innovation company and our objective is to develop genetic solutions and cultivars that deliver productivity and profitability to farmers. And in this context, the new laboratory plays a fundamental role in ensuring that the best seeds reach producers", highlights Anderson Meda, research manager at TMG.

The professional explains that the new space allowed the implementation of a new form of analysis, genotyping by DNA sequencing. “This method will guarantee the annual delivery of more than 30 million analyzes, an increase in internal data generation of approximately 15 times. The innovative layout of the laboratory, combined with a larger team, also made it possible to generate 1 million DNA analyzes in a single month, which is a monthly record in our history”, he comments.

Cutting-edge innovation

The space now measures 450 square meters and was designed to meet the flow of activities in a more linear way. The new environment included an exclusive room for DNA sequencing and allows the installation of new machines and the isolation of a specific environment for the use of the amplified product.

TMG's biotechnology laboratory has state-of-the-art robotic DNA extraction and manipulation platforms available for its analysis and has the most modern technology to support breeding programs with strategies for selecting the best plants through DNA analysis. The laboratory has already been built to meet the genotyping demand for the next 10 years, and can expand capacity with new equipment already foreseen in its strategic planning.

“We have different genotyping technologies that, added to the expertise of our team, can bring many gains to the breeding program, whether due to the agility in a large number of analyzes or the fact that it allows the miniaturization of assays, which guarantees lower production costs. reagents and, consequently, optimize the process”, explains Adriana Polizel, supervisor of the biotechnology laboratory.

Key space in cultivar development

“The laboratory contributes to decision-making at all stages of development of a new variety, receiving and analyzing samples, from parental (which will be used in crossings - the first stage of the process) to the final stages (when we already have a commercial cultivar in seed production), both for soybeans and cotton”, explains Meda, who recalls: “for corn, the laboratory already has some analyzes available and at an advanced stage of research”.

new job opportunities

Of TMG's 490 employees, 280 work in the research and development area. The laboratory sector has a coordinator, project leader, analysts, assistants, technicians and laboratory assistants. Biotechnologists, biologists, agronomists, biotechnology technicians are some of the professionals in the field, which has grown by around 30% in number of people in recent years.

Certification

The laboratory is certified by ISO17025, which recognizes the quality assurance and traceability of all its processes. “In 2021, the laboratory team worked to systematize quality management, based on ISO17025 regulations. It was a big initiative, in which the entire laboratory management system was placed in software. Thus, it facilitated all traceability and integration of information, documentation management and data generation in a more intelligent and dynamic way”, concludes Adriana Polizel.