Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today joined officials of the Phenotype Screening Corporation of Seymour, Tennessee in announcing a purchase agreement with the Chinese Institute of Botany in Beijing. The company manufactures and markets a small x-ray device called ROOTVIS FS, which allows scientists to analyze the root structures of plants. The announcement by Phenotype Screening Corporation President and CEO Dan McDonald marks the company's first international agreement.

"This announcement is an excellent example of how the development of new technologies in Tennessee can lead to new business opportunities around the world," said Governor Bredesen.  "Phenotype Screening is a relatively small company but its products can have an impact that improves the lives of millions of people and we want to help them grow their business around the world."

"The Chinese government is very interested in finding new products and technologies that can help them address very real and persistent problems in agriculture," said Commissioner Kisber. "Phenotype Screening's success could open the door for additional scientific and agricultural exchanges between Tennessee and China."

Phenotype officials say the use of ROOTVIS FS by Chinese researchers could have very practical applications in areas like biofuels development, soil erosion and preventing desertification. The Chinese government hopes the technology can be used to develop plants that can more effectively be used in the development of alternative fuels like ethanol. The system can also be used to analyze rice plants for their ability to withstand environmental stressors.

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