Centrally located in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, Demeetra AgBio was launched in 2019. Since inception we have built extensive gene editing know-how, complementing our internally developed as well as globally sourced portfolio of intellectual property. Our scientific team is composed of experts with diverse backgrounds in gene editing, ranging from microbes and plants, to mammalian cells. Scientific achievements include being the first to successfully edit plants and yeast with our precise Cas-CLOVER technology.
Demeetra's core focus is developing and optimizing gene editing technologies in commercially applicable systems. We transfer this new knowledge to our partners and provide simple commercial licenses with freedom to operate. We have experience in partnering and out-licensing with top pharmaceutical, biotech, and agtech companies. Our team works closely with collaborators to ensure successful implementation of Demeetra's gene editing technologies for their specific application.
Meet Our Team
Jack Crawford, CEO
Jack Crawford is the founding CEO of Demeetra. As CEO, Jack is focused on providing partners with commercially applicable gene editing technologies through simple accessible licenses. His role also includes developing cannabinoid-based therapeutics. Prior to Demeetra, he was at Hera BioLabs, where he successfully led a complete business pivot to spear-heading the first fully immunodeficient gene edited rat models for oncology xenografts. While serving as VP of Business Development at Transposagen, Jack was instrumental in laying the foundation for commercial applications of the piggyBac transposase, a widely adopted gene editing technology.
Mr. Crawford holds a BS in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech and a Master's in Biotechnology from University of Pennsylvania.
My publications include:
Tripathi et al. (2023) A new and novel high-fidelity genome editing tool for banana using Cas-CLOVER. Plant Biotechnology Journal.
Brizzee et al. (2023) Targeting Mosquitoes through Generation of an Insecticidal RNAi Yeast Strain Using Cas-CLOVER and Super PiggyBac Engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Journal of Fungi.
Brizzee et al. (2023) Generation of a Culex Male Mosquito Sex-Separation RNAi Yeast Strain Using Cas-CLOVER and Super PiggyBac Engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Fermentation.
Noto et al. (2020) The SRG rat, a Sprague-Dawley Rag2/Il2rg double-knockout validated for human tumor oncology studies. PLoS One.
Noto et al. (2018) Sprague Dawley Rag2-Null Rats Created from Engineered Spermatogonial Stem Cells Are Immunodeficient and Permissive to Human Xenografts. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.
Westlund et al. (2014) A rat knockout model implicates TRPC4 in visceral pain sensation. Neuroscience.
Corey Brizzee, PhD, Director of Gene Editing
Corey Brizzee oversees the microbial, mammalian, and plant gene editing groups at Demeetra. His responsibilities include further optimizing and developing our gene editing technologies. With his extensive knowledge in protein engineering and expression, Corey also leads the development of the next generation of Demeetra’s gene editing technologies. In addition to lab work, he assists our potential licensees with product applications and technical know-how.
Before coming to Demeetra, Corey received his PhD from the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky. His graduate research featured a multi-directional approach in which biochemical analysis of enzymes and cellular biology techniques were utilized to understand metabolism in algae. He received his BA in Biology from the University of Rochester (NY), where he researched the role of transglutaminase2 (TG2) in hypoxia/ischemic stress conditions as well as the molecular mechanisms of tau degradation in Alzheimer disease.
Autumn Samuels, Controller
Autumn Samuels is the Financial Controller for Demeetra. With more than 20 years' experience in accounting services, she applies her skills and knowledge from bookkeeping to developing internal controls, financial statement analysis, budgeting, and forecasting to keep operations running smoothly. As a detail-oriented accounting professional, Autumn provides excellent customer service to Demeetra's clients and collaborators.
Autumn earned her degree in Business Management from American National University (now known as National College of Business and Technology) and holds a Certification in Financial Accounting through the Harvard Business School Online.
Tyler Kinder, PhD Scientist, Cell Systems Group
Tyler Kinder is a Scientist for the Cell Systems group at Demeetra. Using both yeast and mammalian systems, his focus is the application of our technology for synthetic biotechnology and therapeutic applications. With his diverse background, which includes over 10 years of experience in mammalian cell culture, ranging from primary cell culture to 3-D cell systems, and downstream analysis of drug substances via analytical chemistry, he is well equipped to help drive innovation of our core technologies to meet client needs.
Before coming to Demeetra, Tyler obtained his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry from the University of Kentucky. His thesis work focused on understanding viral entry, replication, spread, and therapeutic intervention using viral gene editing and biochemistry-based approaches. He received his BS from Bluefield State University, where he worked on understanding immune response during bacterial infections.
Elizabeth Allen, Scientific Business Development
Elizabeth (Liz) Allen is the point of contact for information on Demeetra's technology and facilitates communication between prospective clients and our internal scientific experts. Her number one goal is to provide clients and prospects with detailed data and information so they can select the gene editing solution that is right for their unique projects. Prior to her role in business development, Liz worked with the Cell Systems group at Demeetra to help optimize their technologies in mammalian systems.
Liz has over 14 years of experience in research and development in molecular biology. Before Demeetra, she worked at Arcturus Therapeutics as part of their Frontier Science team, broadening their RNA drug platform. Prior to her move to industry, Liz worked as a lab manager and research associate at University of California, San Diego, for the Lykke-Andersen Lab. She received her BS in Molecular Biology from Harvey Mudd College and is currently working on her MBA from the University of Kentucky.
Precision Without Limits: Freedom to Operate, Guided Expertise
Contact us to learn more about our independent gene editing technology IP, optimized reagents and internal expertise to help guide smooth adoption.