Tobacco Biotechnology ?rojects
Co-ordinatlor
Backcrcund
In the late 70s/tarly 80s BATCF began investigations into the potential of
the emerging techniques of plant biotechnology to create improved
varibties of tobacco. Techniques at that time included tissue culture,
haploid technology and regeneration of plant from cells. This work
terminated in 1985.
in a separate initiative in 1983, BAT Industries began an appraisal of the
long term commercial potential of plant biotechnology, with a focus on
horticultural crops. Tobacco was not relevant since the thrust was toward
diversification in agribusiness.
in 1987, BAT Industries financed a molecular biology laboratory for
Twyford International (in whom BAT had invested) and this was set up in
Cambridge, U.K. As a means of recovering income from the investment, BAT
requested Twyford to carry out molecular biology-based research on tobacco
(to the extent of 20% of expenditure), all rights on commercial
application being the property of BAT. During April i9sa, in a break-up
of the relationship between BAT and Twyfords, this laboratory became a
Vally owned subsidiary of BATCO.
Following acquisition BATCo. oriented the major activities at A T. C.,
Cambridge, toward Group products - i.e. tobacco, eucalyptus and to a
lesser extent, processing potato.
As far back as 1983, M1 began, with BAT Industries' agreement, to develop
a programme of tobacco biotechnology with DNAP, a small biotech. company
in the U.S.A. -
Recently, B&W have widened their horizons in terms of tobacco improvement
by investigating the more advanced techniques of biotechnology now
emerging. A small molecular biology contract at the University of
Kentucky has been agreed and a now biotech. programme with DNAP (now fused
with Advanced Genetic System) is being considered.
During 1987, I. T. L. also began to investigate the potential of
biotechnology in tobacco improvement through a contract with Agriculture
Canada in Ottawa.
Finally, Souza Cruz. following the BAT Industri*sl initiative, set up a
plant biotechnology company in campinas in 19a6 and have now turned
attention to the improvement of tobacco and various ideas are being
considered.
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BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 19 April 1999

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0. Project Targets and Protocols
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C's
C The following tobacco biotechnology projects are currently in progress or planned:
-3
CD Co. objective Technique Progress Cost p.a.
Fla.
B Selection of high Somaclonal variation Y1. Field &tage. $200,000
nicotine flue-cured
variety.
Introgression of H.S. Cellular Biology
Introgression of Techniques
Granville Wilt Resist Research stage
O -ance
CD Introgression of
0 Nematode Resistance
Improved flavour
variety
ITL Blue mould resistant Protoplast fusion N.tab,/U,debnYi1 C$65,000
variety (using antibiotic fusion achieved;
resistant markers) backcrossing to
0 High Nicotine N.tab.
0 Modified chemistry
BATCo. Genetic markers for: Probes belng E200,000
identified for (approx.)
high nicotine and RFLP (molecular whole n1cotiana
nic. alkaloids biology) species
Co ii) All diseases
> Improved resistance to%
Insects (inc. Recomb. DNA Ganes being
nematode) (molecular biology) procured under
Virus research licence
Herbicide
to Storage insects
G 0 1 0