We were sort of pushing the envelope at the time for what most people thought plants could do. The company developed and ultimately patented a technique to inject a human gene into tobacco, allowing the plant to produce complex medicinal and industrial proteins. CropTech researchers have tested proteins that could be used to prevent blood clotting, combat cancer and treat genetic disorders. They also have genetically engineered plants to clone a protein found in two strains of the HIV virus, raising hopes for a vaccine. Radin and Cramer say genetically engineered plants have the potential to provide an abundant, cost-effective source of proteins for medicines.
Tobacco yields millions of seeds, grows quickly and is easy to harvest.
The most obvious challenge is the logistics of coordinating the biomass. To meet that challenge, CropTech representatives worked with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation to forge an alliance with tobacco growers. Farmers throughout the state's tobacco-growing regions will have an opportunity to buy into the company and participate in the partnership with CropTech. Investors banking on potential When Radin and Cramer founded CropTech, they needed just a small office in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. The company now occupies 10,000 square feet of office and laboratory space in the research center.