Middleton plant laboratory turned into crop research center

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The University of Wisconsin-Madison has turned a $10 million commercial biotechnology plant laboratory in Middleton into the hub of a new crop research center.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center opened last month after Monsanto Co. donated the laboratory, which was previously used to develop genetically modified plants and crops.

Kate VandenBosch, the dean of the school's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, says the center is combining the strengths of the donated lab and the university's plant science community to become the top university or nonprofit biotech crop facility in the country.

She says the facility will continue to focus on genetic technology, but it'll concentrate on future science and conduct research funded by companies that can't gain or lose money from it.