About the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies

The Center for Applied Genetic Technologies (CAGT) was formed in July of 1999, as a result of an initiative developed by several senior University of Georgia (UGA) faculty, and funded jointly by the University of Georgia, Georgia Research Alliance, and Woodruff Foundation.

The overall mission of the CAGT at UGA is two-fold: (1) to bring together diverse expertise and resources in plant genomics, genetics, breeding, and biotechnology to accelerate the development of improved plant cultivars of importance to Georgia, the United States, and worldwide and (2) to provide state of the art facilities and instrumentation to nurture and stimulate the development, application, and commercialization of UGA-developed technologies.

Translating basic research into public benefit often requires private investment. Businesses and industries are becoming more dependent on research and technology advances, and the acceleration of the product development cycle demands ever-closer ties between basic research and commercialization.

UGA’s Innovation Gateway Incubator space is located within the CAGT building and seeks to foster public-private partnerships that provide for vertical integration, nurturing each step in the development of new genetic, genomic, and biotechnology-based products, from basic discovery research through commercialization. This "vertical integration" provides pathways for basic research discoveries to be translated into economic development and public benefit, through the successful development of new technologies, applications, products, and start-up companies. An essential component of the CAGT is the synergy that will be gained by uniting diverse research groups within the CAGT and throughout UGA, with industrial partners and co-located start-up companies. The CAGT building also houses the Plant Genetic Mapping Laboratory.

Location

The CAGT is located in a 65,000-square-foot building on the UGA Athens campus. CAGT houses 8 research faculty, the UGA Innovation Gateway Incubator space, and dedicated space for meetings and teaching. Facilities within CAGT include a dedicated microscope facility, lyophilizers, dishwashers, autoclaves, and a separate building to support seed research. CAGT is adjacent to the Riverbend Plant Growth Facilities managed by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Plant Growth Facility which provides modern greenhouse and controlled growth chamber facilities.