Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

See schedule oplant Science research, educational outreach and training:-in 2023, the Danforth Center field research site's first full year, there were 23 projects by eight principal investigators spread out over 62 acres. Danforth Center scientists led by dr. katie murphy, director of the Danforth Center phenotyping core facility, installed 404 minirhizotrons and more are planned with support from the bellwether foundation to develop phenotyping systems at the field research site.-the subterranean influences on nitrogen and carbon (sinc) Center co-directors launched initiatives to better understand plant-bacteria nutrient exchange, elemental uptake, and published studies on cover crop root architecture and a field evaluation technique for biofertilizers. -researchers in the lab of dr. dmitri a. nusinow identified a new protein complex in plants that regulates temperature response by the circadian clock. -dr. james umen and his team discovered a new gene in green algae that controls sex determination, opening the door for targeted breeding. Meanwhile the lab of dr. doug allen has uncovered an important role played by malic enzyme in enhancing soybean oil production. Both discoveries could prove important for developing sustainable green fuels and petroleum replacements. -in 2023, certified pod-borer-resistant (pbr) cowpea seed production in nigeria jumped tenfold on a course to meet demand in coming years. -in 2023, the usda cleared their improved teff for field trials without the burden of biotech regulation, and testing is now underway. -in a partnership with the jackie joyner-kersee food, agriculture, nutrition innovation Center (jjk fan), and with support from boeing, the Danforth Center education research and outreach lab launched a geospatial Science initiative in the 2022-2023 school year. Students programmed and flew drones, collected data, and learned about intersections with Plant Science, geography, and scientific careers. -seven institutions, including the Danforth Center, united to launch 39 north agtech innovation district as an independent 501(c)(3). -peptyde bio, launched by the Danforth Center start-up initiative and Danforth technology company, was acquired by invaio sciences in less than two years, a rare feat in the startup world. Agrela ecosystems, founded by dr. nadia shakoor, launched the phenode, an advanced environmental sensor platform. -in 2023, the Danforth Center was named a top workplace by the st. louis post-dispatch for the third year in a row. The award recognizes employers that score highly in the eyes of their employees. The Danforth Center was praised for its culture of cooperation, professionalism, open-mindedness, and excellence.