AgriStar Inc. of Conroe, Texas, said it was issued Canadianpatent No. 1,305,933.covering a system for the cloning,micropropagation and preservation of plants and plantmaterials. It is based on technology using membranes that arepermeable to gas and light but impermeable to liquids andbacterial contaminants.

It is AgriStar's first foreign patent, though the company hasthree pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent applies to the company's Integument and Methodfor Culturing Organic Material (StarPac).

The company is focusing on expanding its proprietarymembrane technology and on developing plantmicropropagation centers around the world.

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