BPFeb06_000

Bio-Prospects Volume 3, Issue 1 February 2006 Published by Ag-West Bio Inc. Ag-West Bio and the SEDC deliver answers to the ethanol production question Is there a future for ethanol production in Saskatchewan? Can we compete with corn? Does ethanol offer Saskatchewan producers an economic opportunity? No one is questioning whether renewable fuels such as ethanol offer environmental benefits, but is there really an opportunity for Saskatchewan? These questions and more were the focus of the Northern Plains Ethanol Workshop put on by Ag-West Bio and the Saskatchewan Ethanol Development Council on November 24, 2005. A panel of 11 leading local and international experts addressed current challenges and opportunities for Saskatchewan in the ethanol industry. In quick snapshot of the ethanol industry in North America, Dr. Mike Ingledew, Professor at the College of Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan asked the question, “How much (ethanol) can we make?” With the N. American consumption of gasoline at approximately 450 billion litres per year, almost half of the yearly corn production would be needed to supply a 10 percent ethanol content. Therefore in Ingledew‟s assessment, “… ethanol from corn will not be the only contender.” “We can make ethanol from any kind of starch (cellulose) or sugar you can think of,” stated Ingledew. The next logical question then became, “How do we improve productivity?” In answer to this question were a series of presentations outlining recent research from improving yeast productivity to using alternative grains, such as winter wheat or barley. Drs. Anita Brule-Babel, from the University of Manitoba, and Pierre Hucl, from the University of Saskatchewan, outlined the opportunities for winter and spring wheat (respectively) for ethanol production. Spring wheat, according to Hucl, shows promise, especially if breeders can raise the grain yield per acre, increase the starch content and lower protein production. Winter wheat has potential, especially due to its high yielding nature and lower fuel production costs required when grown in areas less prone to winter kill, but the major challenges lies within the Canadian regulatory system. “The current regulatory system only recognizes CWRW class with export milling quality,” cautioned Brule-Babel. The development of a non-milling class could provide benefits, but this would require changes to the regulatory system and would require significant and time and resources in breeding. Oats and barley were both presented as viable options for ethanol production by Drs. Jerry Bergan and Charles Flynn of the Montana State Eastern Agricultural Research Centre and Dr. Brian Rossnagel from the University of Saskatchewan. Both grains offer starch levels close to corn, are readily grown in our climate and are high yielding. “Both grains also offer high value non-starch components such as beta glucans (known immunostimulants) for added revenue generation,” noted Rossnagel. When it comes to the production end of the ethanol equation, Dr. Ingledew once again asked the pertinent question of, “How do we increase alcohol production?” • expand each facility? • develop more usable substrates? • increase production capacity? Although each of these options provide an answer, Ingledew‟s research focuses on the later, increasing alcohol production capacity. “When it comes to improving productivity, it is hard to increase yeast productivity as yeast is already working at 90 to 93% of its theoretical optimum,” he said. “In my view it is better to work at increasing productivity through „throughput‟.” For example, very high gravity fermentation, or VHG Technology, recently developed in Ingledew‟s lab is now used in breweries, wineries and fuel alcohol plants around the world. “This technology has been shown to double the ethanol content of the fermentor from 7-10 to 15-18 percent volume to volume.” Ingledew‟s lab is now working to increase the speed of fermentation by improving yeast nutrition. “Nutrition IS the answer!” By manipulating the FAN (free amino nitrogen) available in the mash, they have been able to speed fermentation at any temperature. This new yeast food should soon be commercialized. Dr. Raphael Katzen, Engineer Consultant, recipient of numerous awards including the Special Lifetime Achievement Award of the American Chemical Society for his significant achievements in engineering biomass-to-chemicals processing plants, provided details on how differences in design can relate to differences in operating results. Detaiing another approach to increase the economic viability of ethanol production, Dr. Bob Tyler, Associate Dean (Academic) of the College of Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan and Vern Racz, Executive Director of the Prairie feed Resource Centre discussed opportunities for co-products. “Obtaining co-products at the front end of production wherever possible is the best option,” said Tyler, “but for dried grain, ruminant feeds remain the main market.” Although, with the increase in worldwide ethanol production, an over supply of distillers grains are already starting, cautioned Racz. As a real Saskatchewan example, Mr. Keith Rueve, Plant Manager at Pound Maker Agventures, gave an excellent summary their facility. Poundmaker currently hosts a one time capacity for 28,500 head of cattle and can produce 125 million litres of fuel ethanol per year. In order to maximize production, co-products from the ethanol part of the operation (wet distillers grain) are used in the feedlot operation. “Is it economical to run this plant without the feedlot?” was a question from the floor. “At our size, I think not,” answered Rueve. “That is the main reason for the large size of plants in the US.” Special guest, Dr. Hosein Shapouri, a senior economist in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of the Chief Economist (OCE), Office of Energy Policy and New Uses (OEPNU), helped us to put the US ethanol industry in perspective. Ethanol production is and will continue to grow, especially with strong support from government through provisions such as the energy bill and renewable fuels standard. New research and technologies are leading to an increase in economic viability and ethanol production costs have declined drastically since the 1980‟s. From a recent USDA economic impact study on the effects of the renewable fuel standards, Shapouri did caution us to be cognoscente of all the effects. Realizing as market prices fluctuate for various feed commodities; it can negatively or positively impact other commodities such as animal production. For example, a rise in corn prices due to the demand for ethanol may relate to a decrease in livestock production, as corn is a major source of cattle feed in the US. So putting all this information into perspective, the answer to the question, “Does Saskatchewan have an opportunity in ethanol production?” appears to be YES! Saskatchewan, being a major producer of cereal grains along with the new research presented at this conference and around the world and the growing demand for this renewable fuel, definitely has the resources, scientific infrastructure and expertise to seize this industry for Canada. For more information on this event, please visit the Ag-West Bio website at: http://www.agwest.sk.ca/events/awbevents.php ……… bio-energy Hydrogen Generation to Biosensors: Adnavance Technologies Inc. develops a unique technology platform By Donna Fleury, EduTransfer Design Associates Inc. As oil and gas prices continue to rise, and supplies become increasingly scarce, industry is exploring new energy options. The priority is to find renewable sources of energy that are more environmentally friendly and offer increased energy efficiency. Hydrogen is viewed as one of the next renewable energy sources able to meet those goals. The ability to create hydrogen from a variety of resources and its clean-burning properties make it a desirable alternative fuel. Hydrogen is being explored for use in combustion engines and fuel cell electric vehicles. It also has applications for energy generation and storage. Most research and development around the world is in the development or prototype stage, as costs remain high and practicality still a major challenge. Although the possibilities are promising, widespread availability and use is still a long ways away. In Saskatoon, Adnavance Technologies Inc. is developing a technology platform to use conducting DNA technology for renewable energy generation and management. Other new technology platforms are based on a novel form of DNA called metallic DNA or MDNA, discovered by Dr. Jeremy Lee at the University of Saskatchewan in the 1990s. While normal DNA is a semi-conductor, M-DNA is essentially a nano-wire that conducts electricity very well. M-DNA is a novel form of DNA generated by applying the company‟s proprietary method of introducing metal ions along the DNA double helix. “Adnavance Technologies Inc. is developing a broad platform of technologies in all areas of conducting DNA, with specific applications for the energy generation and management markets, and the biosensor and molecular diagnostics markets,” explains Todd Lahti, VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Adnavance has determined the most appropriate application for their renewable energy generation technology will be in distributed generation, using stationary units to provide electricity to remote areas or for backup to the grid. “We‟re developing a hydrogen generation and storage system using conducting DNA that is more efficient and effective,” says Lahti. This efficient system is a light-driven, zero emission hydrogen generation system capable of producing and storing hydrogen in a safe, stable and portable storage medium. “Using this technology, we can access more of the electromagnetic spectrum than can currently be accessed by photovoltaic cells.” In addition, the hydrogen generated can be stored in a more efficient system that doesn‟t require complicated pressurization techniques or storage mediums such as metal hydrides. Biosensor and Molecular Diagnostics Technologies “Our leading commercial application is in the molecular diagnostics area for the healthcare field, using M-DNA as a biosensor for improving medical diagnosis and detecting infectious diseases,” says Lahti. We believe this technology is more sensitive and more selective than any existing alternatives, and most importantly does away with the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification step, a commonly used detection scheme.” One of the other exciting applications is the utilization of M-DNA in DNA-based vaccines. “We‟ve found that using M-DNA makes the DNA approach much more effective because it requires less DNA for each injection,” says Lahti. “This is a very topical application, particularly with concerns over bird flu and other possible flu outbreaks, because M-DNA can be developed and manufactured very quickly, addressing the challenge of on-going virus mutation and changes.” Typically a vaccine is made using the proteins or the antigen of the offending pathogen. With the M-DNA vaccine, the DNA is injected into the body, and the body makes the proteins that provide the resistance to the pathogen. “Therefore, M-DNA vaccines don‟t require the significant manufacturing lead time of typical protein-based vaccines, and can be prepared very quickly and at reduced costs,” explains Lahti. The M-DNA vaccine developments are still at the early stage, however initial trial work on mice was very successful, and large animal studies have been initiated. Other technology platforms utilizing M-DNA applications are being explored, such as nano-electronic applications. M-DNA makes highly efficient nanowires that could be used for constructing nanocircuits for various nano-electronic applications. “This technology is at the very early development stage, but is another possibility we are exploring, along with others in the pipeline,” says Lahti. For Dr. Jeremy Lee, Chief Scientific Officer, one of the biggest challenges is conducting research in all of these areas at the same time. “Having to spread your focus over three or four projects, rather than just one does present some challenges, but it is also very exciting at the same time,” says Lee. “One of the things I‟m most excited about is the opportunity to build a device from scratch and to see it working.” The Road to Commercialization “One of our key challenges is to keep the business side and the science side synchronized,” says Dr. Henry Geraedts, Chief Executive Officer. “We have carefully crafted plans so that when we‟re talking to investors, we‟re in sync with the science developments and can provide a clear and accurate picture of where we are at.” Late last fall, Adnavance successfully completed a Series A round of financing of $3.85 million. Most recently, Adnavance has attracted the interest of some well established U.S. investors, and very recently from two well known investors in Europe. “We expect this interest to continue because of the nature of what we‟re doing,” explains Geraedts. “This is truly a unique technology, and I think investors see it has the potential of changing the way things are going to be done clinically in the healthcare field, and the opportunities in other areas.” In order to commercialize these technologies, Adnavance is pursuing various partners. “All of these technology applications will ultimately be partnered with players who are already in the market,” adds Geraedts. “These larger energy or pharma companies know their markets and can help small companies navigate the business and avoid the potholes.” As with many new start up companies, Adnavance has relied on the support of initial stage partners for research and development from organizations such as Ag-West Bio Inc., the University of Saskatchewan, the National Research Council‟s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). “When one builds a company out of literally a number of research papers and a budding relationship with scientists like Dr. Lee, it can‟t be done without the help of these type of organizations who are willing to help out at that crucial early stage,” says Geraedts. “Until the technology platforms are demonstrated, it is difficult to attract investment from the venture capital side.” There are still challenges ahead in the development and commercialization of these platform technologies. Securing the next round of financing is an on-going process. “One of the lessons learned is that because this is very complicated technology with many applications, it is important to „de-risk‟ the opportunity as much as possible before presenting it to potential investors. This will help speed up the financing and make the concept less elusive to investors.” For more information on Adnavance Technologies Inc., visit: http://www.adnavance.com/ ……… co-products Converting bio-diesel co-products into value By Lorne McClinton Cheap bio-diesel has just come a little bit closer to being a reality. Galen Suppes, chief science officer of Renewable Alternatives and a professor at the University of MissouriColumbia (MU), has developed a process for converting glycerine into propylene glycol, which can be used as nontoxic antifreeze for automobiles. Turning vegetable oil into bio-diesel is nothing new. The process has been around for decades. All you need to do to create a bio-diesel is to remove the glycerin, a type of sugar, from the oil. The downside is you end up with a lot of glycerin. For every nine pounds of bio-diesel you make, you end up with another pound of glycerin as a byproduct. Even the few bio-diesel plants currently operating in North America have caused a glut in the glycerin market and collapsed the prices. “The glycerin market is not that big by chemical industry standards, and the additional glycerin being produced by the bio diesel industry ruined that market,” Suppes says. “Plants are having a price war to get rid of it so glycerin is probably only half of the price it should be. Bio-diesel production is much more economical if you have a good market for the glycerin. The difference between glycerin having zero value and glycerin having a value of 40 cents a pound for example, translates into about a 40 cents a gallon (12 cents/litre Canadian) drop in the cost of bio diesel.” Consumers also want an antifreeze that is both renewable and made from a renewable resource like canola or soybeans rather than petroleum from which propylene glycol currently is produced. At present antifreeze is based on ethylene glycol, a chemical that is so highly toxic everyone knows even small amounts of antifreeze will kill household pets. Propylene glycol is the non-toxic alternative. Suppes hopes his process will encourage the US to follow Europe‟s example and start the big transition to propylene glycol. Suppes‟ process uses a chemical reaction to convert glycerin into propylene glycol. “Glycerin has three alcohols and through a chemical reaction we reduce the number of alcohols from glycerin down to two,” Suppes explains. “We then use a selective reaction to form these two alcohols into propylene glycol. Since the reactant is hydrogen based, for every molecule of propylene glycol that is manufactured a molecule of water is created as a byproduct.” “The price of propylene glycol is quite high while glycerin's price is low, so based on the low cost of feed stock and high value of propylene glycol, the process appears to be most profitable,” Suppes says. Renewable Alternatives is currently licensing this technology to three bio-diesel plants. Suppes is expecting the first of these to be producing propylene glycol by the middle of 2006. The process excites Canadian bio-diesel manufacturers too. Rob McGregor, plant manager at Milligan BioTech, Canada‟s leading producer of bio-diesel says, “having more than one market just makes the whole thing a little more feasible.” The discovery of a procedure to convert glycerin into a valuable byproduct could hardly have come at a better time for Milligan BioTech. The company has just announced construction plans for a 30,000 litres of bio-diesel per day plant in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan. The plant, also the site of Milligan‟s canola crushing plant and head offices, is expected to expand to 50,000 litres of production in its first year of operation. McGregor expects to complete installation of the crush plant and have the bio-diesel production equipment operational by mid 2006. When the plant is completed, it will triple the amount of Milligan‟s available storage and manufacturing space. The North American bio-diesel industry is still in its infancy. It‟s considered a niche product but, in 2004, bio-diesel producers sold 30 million gallons of fuel in the United States, up from 500,000 gallons in 1999. US consumers burned 57 billion gallons of petroleum-based diesel in the same time. McGregor feels interest in renewable, environmentally friendly energy, like bio-diesel, is only going to increase. “You only need to look at what is happening with bio-diesel in Europe now to see where we‟ll be in a few years. Germany and Austria have had biodiesel production for years. You can buy it as a blend everywhere and eventually it will happen here too.” According to McGregor, part of the reason bio-diesel use is more common in Europe is because of higher fuel costs. Since the population base is so dense, finding ways to keep the air breathable was also a big factor. Unlike ethanol, which can only be burned as a blend, diesel engines could run on 100% bio-diesel although McGregor admits this would likely never happen. "I don‟t think that you would ever be able to replace all the diesel with bio-diesel in North America, but we can certainly use bio-diesel as a blend to increase the amount of time we have before petroleum fuels run out.” Now that there is a profitable way to make use of all the glycerin created in its manufacturing process, a bio-diesel blend could soon be coming to a pump near you. For more information, please contact: Galen J. Suppes, Renewable Alternatives at suppesg@missouri.edu Rob McGregor, Milligan BioTech at mbti@sasktel.net In the News….People   Dale Ward, University of Saskatchewan Chemistry Professor, has been appointed director of the Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre (SSSC) for a three year term Roger Underwood and Jeff Becker, co-founders of Becker Underwood, resigned from the management of the company. Peter Innes was promoted from President to Chief Executive Officer. Both Underwood and Becker will continue as members of the Board of Directors, Underwood remaining as Chairman of the Board Anne Parker has resigned from her position as Executive Director of Communities of Tomorrow Pascal Leterme, from the National Veterinary University in Lyon, France, joined the Prairie Swine Centre as Research Scientist – Nutrition Suzanne Fortier, formerly from Queen‟s University Department of Graduate Studies and Research, was recently appointed President of NSERC    In the News…..Companies  Iogen Corporation is partnering with automaker VW to assess the feasibility of building the world‟s first commercial cellulose ethanol plant in Germany. Iogen has also indicated that it hopes to build similar plants in North America. For more information visit: http://www.biocap.ca/index.cfm?meds=subsection&subsection=153§ion=49&category=20  MEMS USA, Inc., a California-based professional engineered systems, products and services company, has announced that Northern Ontario, Canada, will be the site of Hearst Ethanol One, Inc., a biomass-to-fuel-ethanol conversion facility targeting annual production of 227 million liters of fuel-grade ethanol. For more information visit: http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/33903/newsDate/8-Dec2005/story.htm  Solar Hydrogen Energy Corporation, with its partners, Giffels Associates Limited (Ingenium) and Clean 16 Environmental Technologies and in conjunction with the University of Toronto Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, will deploy the world's first Solar Hydrogen production station using methane, an environmentally damaging greenhouse gas expelled from city landfills at the City of Regina's Fleet Street Landfill. For more information visit: http://www.globe-net.ca/news/index.cfm?type=2&newsID=1598   Dow Chemical Canada Inc. (Dow Canada) has announced that Dow BioProducts, a division of Dow Canada, will no longer operate and will cease manufacturing operations of WOODSTALK brand products from its plant in Elie, Manitoba. For more information visit: http://news.dow.com/prodbus/2005/20051115a.htm Prairie Swine Centre staff took three of five prestigious awards this year from the Canadian Society of Animal Science. Lee Whittington, manager of information services, won the Animal Industries Award in Extension and Public Service, while Martin Nyachoti, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and a former research associate at the Centre, won the Young Scientist Award. President and CEO John Patience won the Award of Excellence for Research in Nutrition and Meat Science. For more information visit: http://www.usask.ca/research/newsletter/Issue12-30Sep05.htm  Philom Bios and the Grains Research & Development Corporation of Australia (GRDC) recently announced the signing of an agreement where Philom Bios will evaluate and commercialize a number of novel technologies. For more information visit: http://www.philombios.com/news/PBI_News_2005-09-29.pdf In the News…..Finance  Twenty-five agriculture research and development projects in Saskatchewan have received support of $2.87 million from the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said the research projects will assist with the progress and diversification of many areas of Saskatchewan's agriculture and agri-food industry. For more information visit: http://www.gov.sk.ca/newsrel/releases/2006/01/19-012.html   Bill Gates' investment firm, Cascade Investment, agreed last month to buy 5.25 million preferred shares in Pacific Ethanol, a producer of corn-based fuel. For more information visit: http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=40746 Genome Canada will contribute more than $3 million toward a $6-million genomics research project at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Brian Fowler, a professor at the U of S Crop Development Centre, will lead the project. The aim is to identify, characterize and use the biological mechanisms governing low temperature adaptation in wheat, barley and rye to improve cold-hardiness. For more information visit: http://www.genomecanada.ca/GCmedia/communiquesPresse/indexDetails.asp?id=474&l=e In the News…..Updates  The Biodiesel Development Task Force, tasked by Saskatchewan‟s Agriculture and Food Minister Wartman with finding ways for the province to take advantage of the growing market for biodiesel, delivered a progress report. For more information visit: http://www.globe-net.ca/news/index.cfm?type=2&newsID=1724  Legislation that would allow California farmers to grow industrial hemp has been approved by the Californian state Assembly committee. For more information visit: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=111&sid=586459  Scientists at the Technical University of Denmark have invented a technology they believe may be an important step towards the hydrogen economy: a hydrogen tablet they say effectively stores hydrogen in an inexpensive and safe material. For more information visit: http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=41517  Both the Liberal party and the Conservatives, in Canada's election campaign, promised to require a percentage of biofuel be mixed with gasoline and diesel by the end of 2010. For more information visit: http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/34137/story.htm  A new poll by The Strategic Counsel commissioned by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association shows that Canadians overwhelming support the introduction of renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel into the Canadian transportation fuel supply. For more information visit: http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=39862  Electroactive polymers-plastics that expand or contract when stimulated by electricity-can now be made from plants rather than petrochemicals, according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Peoria, Ill. For more information visit: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/dec05/plastic1205.htm  A catalyst derived from common sugar may eliminate the need for other costly, environmentally-damaging compounds conventionally used during biodiesel production. According to a new study published in Nature, carbonized sugar treated with sulphuric acid produces a high-performance solid catalyst. For more information visit: http://www.biocap.ca/index.cfm?meds=subsection&subsection=140§ion=49&category=20 Philom Bios opens a new facility “Twenty five years ago John said this is where we will be and now here we are!” were the congratulatory words given by Saskatoon‟s mayor, Don Atchison at the official opening of Philom Bios‟ new 105,000 square foot facility, Tuesday, January 10, 2006. At a ribbon cutting ceremony with Calvin Sonntag, President and CEO of Philom Bios, John Cross, the Chairman of the Board and founder of the company, Mayor Atchison and guests, the new facility was presented to all. Hosting five major labs for research and development, processing, manufacturing and quality control, as well as a huge area for packaging and storage and managerial offices, this facility will allow Philom Bios to grow. Originally established in 1980, this company has already grown to a staff of over 70 employees and plans are to continue. “The opening of our own facility is another step in the prudent growth plan of our Company,” says Sonntag. “The new facility affords us enhanced flexibility, significant expansion of our capacity and improves our competitive position. It is a key enabler to continue to serve the needs of our customers in Canada, the United States and elsewhere.” An inoculant, the main product manufactured by Philom Bios, is a live micro-organism which gives a plant help with the uptake of important nutrients like nitrogen and phosphate. These micro-organisms are naturally occurring in our soils. Inoculant companies, through years of research and development have isolated the most effective strains and formulated them into products which can be added to the soil or seed to improve productivity of crops. Philom Bios was one of the pioneer companies in the inoculant business, developing the world's first and only commercial phosphate inoculant for all crops, JumpStart. They can also boast on developing the world's first and only combination phosphate and nitrogen inoculant for pulse crops including soybeans, TagTeam. Research to discover new strains and improved the manufacture and delivery systems for plant inoculants is a competitive business. For example, Brett-Young Seeds recently announced the commercial release of “SoySuperb” Soybean Growth Promoter. This product combines the nitrogen fixing bacteria, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, with a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to enhance soybean growth and maximize yields. Due in part to the hard work and foresight of their founder, John Cross, Philom Bios has and continues to be a leader in this industry and a strong success story for Saskatchewan‟s bio-economic cluster. To mark this occasion and celebrate their 25 th Anniversary, Philom Bios was given a Mayor‟s Thanks a Million Award! “Thank you for the innovation and sharing this opportunity with us (Saskatoon),” said Mayor Atchison while presenting the award. Events 2006 Feb. 20 – 22 Mar. 5 – 10 Mar. 21 – 23 Mar. 21 – 23 National Ethanol Conference: From Niche to Nation Las Vegas, NV, USA http://www.ethanolrfa.org/nec.shtml Bioenergy - I: From Concept to Commercial Processes Tomar, Portugal http://www.engconfintl.org/6ae.html Hart's World Refining and Fuels Conference Salt Lake City, Utah, USA http://www.worldfuelsconferences.com/2006eventslc.html Central Biofuels Conference & Expo II Panama City, Panama http://www.centralbiofuels.com Biofuels Markets Rio de Janeiro, Brazil http://www.biofuelsmarkets.com 28th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals Nashville, TN, USA http://www.simhq.org/html/meetings.html 97th AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo St. Louis, MI, USA http://Annual_Mtg.aocs.org Ethanol 2006 Australia Brisbane, Australia http://www.easternbiofuels.com Eastern Biofuels Conference & Expo II Budapest, Hungary http://www.easternbiofuels.com World Bioenergy 2006 Jonkoping, Sweden http://www.worldbioenergy.se Bio-Logical Futures III Saskatoon, SK Canada http://www.biologicalfutures.ca Mar. 27 - 28 Apr. 30 - May 3 Apr. 30 - May 3 May 8 -11 May 29 - Jun. 2 May 30 - Jun.1 Oct. 16 – 17 Ag-West Bio Inc. Board of Directors Chair: Armand Lavoie, VP, Western Canada, Foragen Technology Management Inc. Dale Botting, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership Pete Desai, President, Desai & Desai Inc. Kevin Gellatly, Vice President, Alliances, Performance Plants Inc. John Hyshka, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Phenomenome Discoveries Inc. Abdul Jalil, Director of the Research Branch, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Jerome Konecsni, President, Genome Prairie Ian McPhadden, Producer Robert Morgan, President and CEO, POS Pilot Plant Ian Newton, Managing Director, Ceres Consulting Brigitte Weston, Global Clearfield Development Manager, BASF Plant Sciences Ag-West Bio Inc. Publications Ag-West Bio offers several publications at no cost. Please fax your requests to: 306-975-1966, e-mail: subscriptions@agwest.sk.ca, or visit: http://www.agwest.sk.ca The Bio-Prospects is produced by Ag-West Bio Inc. Editor: Janice Tranberg, Communications Director, Ag-West Bio Inc. Articles, comments, announcements and subscription requests are welcome. Please send your enquiries to: janice.tranberg@agwest.sk.ca or fax: 306-975-1966 Ag-West Bio Inc. 101-111 Research Dr. Saskatoon, SK Canada S7N 3R2 Phone: 306-975-1939 Fax: 306-975-1966 Website: http://www.agwest.sk.ca Readers wishing to have their comments considered for inclusion are encouraged to submit less than 500 words via e-mail to: janice.tranberg@agwest.sk.ca Include your name and contact information. We reserve the right to edit for length. J. Tranberg, Editor Funding assistance is provided by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.