Podcasts about Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

In this episode of Sustaining Soils, hear directly from two top scientists in the soil science field: Dr. Christopher Topp, Principal Investigator, and Keith Duncan, Research Scientist, who are both from the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. They explored why prioritizing the ‘hidden half' of a plant is crucial for plant biologists and farmers alike. Additionally, they dive into their innovative ongoing laboratory research and how it positively influences the agriculture industry and works towards sustaining future generations.   Stay connected with us on social media: Valent BioSciences: https://www.valentbiosciences.com/ Valent BioSciences Instagram: https://instagram.com/valentbiosciences/ Valent BioSciences Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valentbiosciences/ Valent BioSciences LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/valent-biosciences/ Valent BioSciences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/valentbiosciences

Katie Murphy, Director of Phenotyping and Principal Investigator at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center joins Megan Lynch talking about about what plants have to do with geospatial technology   (Photo credit - iStock/Getty Images Plus)

As famed Iron Chef Alton Brown once said: “Everything in food is science”. In this week's episode, both of our storytellers discover something about themselves through the science of food. Part 1: Corn researcher Katie Murphy is scared becoming a TikToker will ruin her credibility as a serious scientist. Part 2: As a kid, Scottie Rowell gets an unpleasant surprise when they don't wait to eat their grandmother's pickles. Katie Murphy is a plant biologist who loves studying the inner workings of corn. She is the Director of Phenotyping and Principal Investigator at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, a non-profit research institute in St. Louis, Missouri. Her research group studies phenotyping, which means measuring the physical traits of plants. She holds a PhD in Plant Biology from UC Davis, and a Bachelor's in Chemistry from Stanford University. Katie's goal is to make a secure, sustainable food supply that can withstand future climates. She shares her research on TikTok @Real_Time_Science. Scottie Rowell is a Queer, Agender, Autistic artist based in Atlanta, GA. As a storyteller and puppeteer, Scottie's career is focused on performances and experiments in play in non-traditional theater spaces. As owner of Teller Productions, Scottie creates tactile, immersive experiences for families using sustainable materials (all repurposed, discarded, or easily recycled). Scottie's show Super Cello! premiered with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in April 2022. Other clients include the Georgia Aquarium, the Alliance Theater, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Visuals and fun at ScottieRowell.com and TellerProductions.com. (Yes, Scottie made that pickle shirt for the story.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Elliott Kellner is the Director of Commercial Innovation at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Elliott about the viability of using research institutions to prove the value of your technology, fertilizer, or substrate. Topics include the development of seed genetics to further the indoor horticulture space, the changing culture of CEA, and what the future of the industry may look like. 

Dr. Christopher Topp is the principal investigator and associate member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Topp runs a root biology lab where they develop techniques to study root systems both in the lab and in the field. They work with a number of novel imaging approaches to better understand root and soil biology beyond the current state of the art. Ultimately, he hopes this knowledge will be used for the benefit of farmers to improve the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems.  “The fundamental observation is that, we know so little about root systems…And this has real important impacts on plant health, plant productivity, soil health and our ability to meet the challenges of the modern day which are to at least not decrease the amount of soil we have and the quality of it, if not to actually regenerate it, but also to to feed a growing population under challenging conditions.” - Dr. Christopher Topp Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science, research, education and outreach. They aim to have an impact at the nexus of food security and the environment. “The mindset is to develop new technologies or bring them in from other areas and really learn how to apply them to roots. Once we do that, once we can see them or measure them in a meaningful way, then it's really every plant scientist's dream…Once we're able to get a good idea of what's the best kind of root system for a particular environment, we can then learn about mechanisms that allow us to breed or otherwise develop technologies that can improve root systems.” - Dr. Christopher Topp This Week on Soil Sense: Meet Dr. Christopher Topp, the principal investigator and associate member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri Discover the work being done at the Danforth Center and the impact they can make for future farming practices

Dr. Blake Meyers is a Member Principal Investigator at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and a Professor in the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri. The focus of Blake's research is on small RNAs in plants. His lab studies how RNAs are used to regulate the complex machinery of cells, particularly in the context of plant reproductive biology. When he's not conducting research in the lab, Blake loves to travel both for work and for fun. Blake strives to balance his family life with his science, and he also enjoys reading cookbooks and experimenting in the kitchen at home. He received a B.A. in Biology from the University of Chicago, and went on to receive his MS and PhD in Genetics from the University of California, Davis. Afterwards, Blake completed postdoctoral fellowships at Dupont Genomics and at the University of California, Davis. Before accepting his current positions, Blake was the Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor and Chair of the Department Plant and Soil Sciences of the University of Delaware. Blake is here with us today to tell us all about his journey through life and science.

Dr. Malia Gehan is an Assistant Member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Her research examines how to improve crops in terms of their response to temperature stress and other abiotic stresses. She is does this through examining natural variation in plants. There are many plants that are highly resilient in different environmental conditions but are not edible. Malia is investigating how to take useful traits from these hardy, weedy plants and incorporate them into crops. Outside of science, Malia spends her free time with her two cats and her husband, who is also a scientist. They enjoy lounging around at home, as well as walking around their neighborhood near the Missouri Botanical Garden. Malia also has fun cooking, going to the movies, and watching TV. She received her undergraduate training in Biology from Willamette University and her PhD in Plant Biology from Michigan State University. Afterwards, Malia was awarded a National Science Foundation Plant Genome Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship working at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and she subsequently worked as a Research Scientist there before accepting her new position. Malia is with us today to tell us all about her journey through life and science.

This podcast on EndoPrime SC is sponsored by Valent.   BeckyJo and Renee join Michele on this podcast to talk about the unique features of EndoPrime SC.  Learn more about EndoPrime SC in this podcast and with the links below.  Flyer https://www.afschem.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2018-MycoApply-EndoPrime-Focus-Report-fold-out.pdfEndoPrime SC Foldout https://www.afschem.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2019-EndoPrime-foldout-mailing.pdfYoutube animation:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2rBs3LFd-E Slake test demonstrates solubility:  Slake Test Demonstrates Soil Stability - YouTubeFormula Innovation: The Pathway to Biological Product Adoption in the Rhizosphere:  https://youtu.be/NnLFhTTNBycPartners in Progress: Valent BioSciences and Donald Danforth Plant Science Center:  https://youtu.be/mSSnc06o0Tc

We discuss: Advice on how to boldly proclaim your passion and to bring the fullness of your passion to work every day.Never be embarrassed to share your point of view — and be willing to be wrong.How to avoid falling victim to the “imposter syndrome” in which people — usually women — don't consider themselves qualified for the opportunities presented to them.Why you should start saying “yes” to challenging things and step outside your comfort zone, even if it terrifies you. Resources: InvestmentNews | Christine Shaw | Edward Jones | Penny Pennington Guest Biography Penny Pennington is the managing partner of Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 financial services firm. As the sixth managing partner in the firm's 99-year history, Penny is responsible for the firm's strategic direction, working together with more than 49,000 associates across North America to make a positive impact in the lives of Edward Jones' clients, colleagues and communities. She was recently named No. 33 in her second appearance on the Fortune Most Powerful Women in Business list.Penny began her Edward Jones career in 2000 as a financial advisor in Livonia, Michigan. In 2006, she was named a principal and relocated to the firm's St. Louis headquarters, where she held leadership roles.Penny earned a bachelor's degree in commerce with a concentration in finance from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She is a graduate of Wharton's Securities Industry Institute and is a CFA charterholder.A native of Nashville, Penny now calls St. Louis home after relocating from Michigan 14 years ago with her husband, Mike Fidler, and two children. She is an active member of the St. Louis community, serving on the boards of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees, the Whitaker Foundation and Executive Committee of the Chair's Council for Greater St. Louis, Inc. Penny also actively champions Edward Jones' national presenting sponsorship with the Alzheimer's Association.

Nighttime Streetlights Are Stressing Out Urban Insects As insect populations—including bees, moths, and other pollinators—decline worldwide, researchers have established a variety of potential causes, including climate change, pesticides, and habitat loss. But now, new findings suggest yet another culprit may be part of the equation: night-time lighting, like street lights in populated areas. A team of entomologists in the United Kingdom looked at populations of moth caterpillars under street lights, compared to populations that lived in darkness all night. In conditions with night-time lighting, they found nearly half as many caterpillars, in some cases. In addition, caterpillars that grew up under street lights were bigger, suggesting that they might be stressed and attempting to rush into metamorphosis earlier than they should. Furthermore, the greatest threat seems to be coming from energy-efficient LED lights, whose bluer wavelengths may be more stressful than the warmer, redder light of older sodium bulbs. The team published their work in the journal Science Advanceslate last month. Guest host Umair Irfan talks to co-author Douglas Boyes about why nighttime lighting might be so bad for insects, and why ditching LED lights isn't actually the best solution.     The Endemic End To The Pandemic Over the past year and a half, we've been talking about the COVID-19 pandemic. But there's another stage of global virus spread to consider as well—the endemic stage. Instead of a sudden cacophony of viral noise, you can think of it as a constant low-level hum, with occasional bleeps.  Viruses such as the coronaviruses responsible for many colds, or the influenza virus, are already endemic worldwide. They're pretty much everywhere, all the time—and sometimes make you ill. But they don't usually threaten to overwhelm health systems the way COVID-19 is currently. Maureen Miller, an infectious disease epidemiologist and medical anthropologist at  Columbia University, joins guest host Umair Irfan to talk about pivoting from pandemic to endemic conditions, and what past outbreaks can teach us for future health decisions.       Charismatic Creature Carnival: Who Rules The Night? We're in week two of our Charismatic Creature Carnival, our celebration of six overlooked or unfairly maligned species that deserve a closer look. Our audience submitted our candidates, but only one will be crowned the very first carnival inductee into the Charismatic Creature Corner Hall of Fame. This week's friendly head-to-head battle is between the opossum and the aye-aye, submitted by listeners who remarked these creatures are cute, though unconventionally so. Defending the opossum is Lisa Walsh, postdoctoral researcher at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, based in Washington, D.C. Squaring up against them to support the aye-aye is Megan McGrath, education programs manager at the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, North Carolina. Find out how to participate in the final creature face-off and check out what you said about the last round between the mantis shrimp and the hellbender salamander!   

Geospatial is an important part of agriculture technology. Stephanie Regagnon of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center talks about the GeoInnovation National Speaker Series. WEPOWER launched Elevate/Elevar Capital. Yoni Blumberg tells us about the $1.5 million investment fund for Black and Latinx-owned companies. Jeff Stevens with WellBeing updates us on the non-alcoholic brewery.

Golden Rice could be a game changer for nations with high rates Vitamin A deficiency. Don MacKenzie of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center explains why, and what it took to gain regulatory approval in the Philippines

African scientists across the continent are hopeful that gene editing is a tool that can support Africa's food security by helping to increase crop productivity, enhance nutrition and make crops more resilient to climate change. Gene editing research is already being used to improve major staple foods in Africa, such as maize, sorghum, wheat, cassava, yam, sweet potato and banana, among others, and the research results are promising. In this session, Andrew Kiggundu, project manager of Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa (VIRCA) at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, will be discussing gene editing with James Karanja, KALRO; John Odipio, NARO Uganda, and Rose Harriet Okech, IITA-Kenya. The three scientists are working in various capacities to advance gene editing research in Africa. They will discuss opportunities and anticipated challenges as they use this tool in developing improved and climate resilient crops for Africa.

Keith Duncan is a research scientist in Dr. Chris Topp's lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, MO. He is also the Director of their X-ray imaging facility, one of only a handful in the world dedicated exclusively to studying plant biology. This facility has two X-ray computed tomography instruments that together can image intact plant structures both above and below the soil line over a wide range of sample sizes, from tiny root nodules up to complete plants one meter tall, visualizing plant cells, organs, tissues, and whole plants. Prior to joining the Danforth Center in 2016, Keith was a research scientist in a microscopy and imaging facility at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, DE for 25 years, using light, laser, electron, and X-ray microscopes to study agricultural biology. SHOW NOTESDonald Danforth Plant Science CenterChris Topp's LabValent BioSciencesBenson Hill

This week’s podcast is a conversation with Dr. Kevin Cox. Kevin earned his PhD at Texas A&M University before returning to his hometown of St Louis, Missouri to do a postdoc with Blake Meyers at The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Kevin has won numerous awards and grants and was recently awarded an HHMI Hanna H. Gray fellowship. We talk about Kevin’s work “TAL effector driven induction of a SWEET gene confers susceptibility to bacterial blight of cotton” by Cox et al. 2017 in Nature Communications. He tells us about the molecular mechanisms of bacterial blight on cotton as well as the technologies and collaborations that made this work possible. Kevin shares his path to plant science and how his exposure to new courses and research experiences led him to a career studying plant pathology. We talk about how he now uses multiple online and in-person platforms to share his passion and bridge communication gaps between the science community and the public. We also talk about how the pandemic has affected Kevin’s work as a postdoc and how he was able to balance work responsibilities while supporting his young daughter’s sudden online schooling during the early stages of the pandemic. A transcript for this episode was generously provided by Jo Stormer http://bit.ly/S5E4_KC Cox, K., Meng, F., Wilkins, K. et al. TAL effector driven induction of a SWEET gene confers susceptibility to bacterial blight of cotton. Nat Commun 8, 15588 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms15588 Kevin's YouTube Channel @Bioguy Kevin's Twitch Account @Bioguy Twitter Handles @K_Bioguy_Cox @ehaswell @baxtertwi @taprootpodcast

Whether we realize it or not, this planet and all life on it are influenced by grasses. Among the most important are grasses belonging to the tribe Andropogoneae. Members of this group include crops such as corn, sugarcane, and sorghum, as well as ecologically important species like big bluestem. Despite their importance, we know surprisingly little about these plants, especially as it related to conservation. Luckily there are people like Taylor AuBuchon, Senior Technician for the Kellogg Lab at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Taylor and her colleagues largely focus on understanding the genetics that have made these grasses so successful, but COVID has seen their lab take a different approach. Using the incredible amount of data they have collected over the years, Taylor and her colleagues are now helping the IUCN assess the status of many Andropogoneae, giving us important insights into the conservation needs of grasses that support ecosystems all over the globe. This podcast was produced in part by Joan, Les, Marabeth, Ali, Margaret, Southside Plants, Robert, Keiko, Bryce, Brittany, Helen, Amanda, Mikey, Rhiannon, Michelle, Kate, German, Joerg, Alejandra, Cathy, Jordan, Judy, Steve, Kae, Carole, Mr. Keith Santner, Dana, Chloe, Aaron, Sara, Kenned, Vaibhav, Kendall, Christina, Brett, Jocelyn, Kathleen, Ethan, Kaylee, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Donica, Chris, Shamora, Alana, Laura, Alice, Sarah, Rachel, Joanna, Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Liba, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.

William H. Danforth II died on Wednesday. The former chancellor of Washington University transformed the institution into a top-tier school, and he was the founding chairman of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. We listen back to excerpts from his appearance on the show from February 2008.

Do you like to eat, drink, wear clothes, have medicines, and breathe oxygen? If so, thank plants! Listen as Keith Duncan from the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center describes how to use X-rays to study plants so we can grow more of them on less land, with less water and fewer pesticides or  fertilizers. Visit the Danforth Plant Science Center Blog to see the images and animations mentioned in the talk. This is a recording of the talk X-Ray Imaging in Plant Biology: Seeing the Unseen held at the Alberta Rose Theatre in August 2019. ******** Want to come to an event? Visit www.ScienceOnTapORWA.org for more info. Thanks to Graham Tully and Stephen Perry for sound production. As always, a final thanks to Jonathan Coulton for the use of his song "Mandelbrot Set" as our theme music.

Florissant native Kevin Cox Jr. is a post-doctoral associate at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and one of 15 Hanna H. Gray Fellows named by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The more than one-million-dollar fellowship specifically seeks out scientists from underrepresented groups early in their careers. Cox is African American.

Sandy Rogers serves as Managing Director of FranklinCovey’s loyalty practice which is focused on helping large multi-unit operators in retail, healthcare, grocery, food service, lodging, and financial services to accelerate growth through increased customer and employee loyalty. FranklinCovey provides each location in the chain with an accurate and representative measure of employee engagement and customer service along with a process to improve them through more consistent frontline execution. Prior to FranklinCovey, Sandy spent 14 years with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, most recently as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy. During his time at Enterprise, he led the turn-around of Enterprise’s London operation, and before this, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. He led the teams that developed Enterprise’s consumer marketing strategy including the “Pick Enterprise...We’ll Pick You Up” television campaign and ESQi, Enterprise’s comprehensive system for measuring and improving customer service across their 7,000 branch network. Before Enterprise, Sandy held marketing positions at Apple Computer and began his career in brand management at Procter Gamble. Sandy serves on the executive committee for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and chairs the Leadership Council for the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Sandy holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School    

Join Claire Kinlaw, director of the Ag Innovation Showcase, as she hosts a lightening round discussion with Rohit Shukla, CEO of Larta Institute, and Sam Fiorello, COO of The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis. They'll discuss 10 reasons to attend this year's 10th anniversary celebration of the Ag Innovation Showcase, including the emphasis on entrepreneurs, celebration of the vast food value chain and its consumer-led renaissance, and, of course, the power of innovation. Tickets to Ag Showcase 2018 are available in limited quantity at www.agshowcase.com. ABOUT AG INNOVATION SHOWCASE Ag Innovation Showcase features the best and boldest new innovations in Agriculture and Technology from all over the globe. These innovations are disrupting the food supply chain beginning with farm inputs and continuing through to consumers to create a sustainable food system that will produce nutrition to feed the planet. The 10th year event, September 10-12 at the Danforth Plant Science Center in St Louis, will curate discussions looking forward to emerging industry trends, present high-impact 'agrifood' innovations from around the world celebrating alumni from previous years and introducing new companies. ABOUT LARTA INSTITUTE and IDEAS ENERGIZED At Larta Institute, our mission is simple: support endeavors that feed, fuel, and heal the world. In addition to engaging our network model in order to assist the commercialization of new technology ideas, our media network, Ideas Energized, seeks to initiate broader conversations surrounding science, technology, the environment, and everything in between. Ideas Energized is produced by Larta Institute's External Engagement Department

“I know who I was when I was playing video games, and why I was playing them, and that’s the guy I’m rooting for.” — Brandon Curry Today’s episode was recorded at 39 North at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and today’s guest is Brandon Curry, Founding Partner of Moonbase Market. Moonbase Market is the first E-sports arena in St. Louis.  Located in the Soulard neighborhood, Moonbase provides a physical arena for playing and spectating tabletop and video game competitions. Brandon joins us to talk about the power of video games to help create friendships and build community.

“If you put the time and patience and effort in, you can learn some pretty spectacular things.”   — Dr. James Carrington Today’s episode was recorded at 39 North in the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and today’s guest is Dr. James Carrington, President of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Dr. Carrington is one of the most highly-cited plant scientists in the world, and he was elected as a Member of the National Academy of Sciences in 2008. Dr. Carrington leads the Center’s mission to improve the human condition through plant science. With nearly 250 employees, the Danforth Center is the largest independent plant science institute in the world. Venture Cafe St. Louis meets at the Danforth Center once a month. The Danforth Center also holds regular events and brings in speakers.

In this episode, Ivan and Liz talk with Elizabeth ‘Toby’ Kellogg about her research interests and career path. Toby received her PhD at Harvard University, then completed a postdoc with R.A. Howard, also at Harvard University. She worked at the Harvard Herbarium before being becoming an Associate Professor of Biology at Harvard University. From there she became E. Desmond Lee and Family Professor of Botanical Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In 2014, she joined the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center where she currently resides as a Robert E. King Distinguished Investigator. Read more about this episode: https://plantae.org/taproot-s2e2-minding-the-gap-with-elizabeth-toby-kellogg/ SHOW NOTES Intraspecific and interspecific variation in 5S RNA genes are decoupled in diploid wheat relatives (Kellogg et al., 1995) http://www.genetics.org/content/140/1/325.short http://kellogglab.weebly.com/ Research Fellowships for STEM professionals returning to their careers after a break: http://www.daphnejackson.org/fellowships Find us on Twitter: @TheKelloggLab @ehaswell @baxtertwi @taprootpodcast

Host Don Marsh talked with guests in advance of a panel discussion Thursday night at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center called, "The Future of Food in a Wealthier, Warmer World."

Dr. Malia Gehan is a new Assistant Member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. She received her undergraduate training in Biology from Willamette University and her PhD in Plant Biology from Michigan State University. Afterwards, Malia was awarded a National Science Foundation Plant Genome Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship working at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and she subsequently worked as a Research Scientist there before accepting her new position. Malia is with us today to tell us all about her journey through life and science.

Dr. Blake Meyers is a Member Principal Investigator at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and a Professor in the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri. He received a B.A. in Biology from the University of Chicago, and went on to receive his MS and PhD in Genetics from the University of California, Davis. Afterwards, Blake completed postdoctoral fellowships at Dupont Genomics and at the University of California, Davis. Before accepting his current positions, Blake was the Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor and Chair of the Department Plant and Soil Sciences of the University of Delaware. Blake is here with us today to tell us all about his journey through life and science.

The scientific community needs to make a 10-year, $100 billion investment in food and energy security, says Carnegie’s Wolf Frommer and Tom Brutnell of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in an opinion piece published in the June issue of The Scientist. They say the importance of addressing these concerns in light of a rapidly growing global population is on par with President John Kennedy’s promise to put man on the moon—a project that took a decade and cost $24 billion.

Roger Beachy, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, USA speaks on "Science and Technologies that Create a Sustainable Agro-Economy: Will Policies Enable or Block the Transition?" This seminar has been recorded by ICGEB Trieste

Roger Beachy, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, USA speaks on "Science and Technologies that Create a Sustainable Agro-Economy: Will Policies Enable or Block the Transition?" This seminar has been recorded by ICGEB Trieste

Since 2005, with the common goals of improving human health and nutrition, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have partnered to seek long-term solutions to the staggering rates of hunger and malnutrition around the world.

Since 2005, with the common goals of improving human health and nutrition, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have partnered to seek long-term solutions to the staggering rates of hunger and malnutrition around the world.

Roger Beachy is the founding president of the non-profit Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Saint Louis, Missouri. Beachy pioneered the development of virus-resistant plants through biotechnology; his early research led to the development of the world's first genetically modified food crop, a virus-resistant tomato. His laboratory conducts basic research on plant biology, and uses recombinant DNA-based technologies to improve crop plants like rice and sweet potato that are grown in developing countries. Roger’s Food for Thought lecture addresses scientific, commercial, and legal issues for genetically engineered crops, with a focus on cassava, which sometimes is called the potato of Africa. He explores the GMO controversy makes it extremely difficult to get even potentially life-saving crop varieties into the field for evaluation, and thus into the hands of poor farmers who stand to benefit from them. Outreach in Biotechnology’s Food for Thought Lecture Series brings together internationally recognized experts to talk about the best (and worst) ways to use biotechnology for food and fuel. For more information, go to http://OregonState.edu/OrB A study guide to this lecture is available at http://oregonstate.edu/orb/food-for-thought Recorded 22 Oct 2007