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2024 RESOURCE GUIDE

GROWING OUR FUTURE

Inspiring Innovation

Enhancing STEM Education

Sparking Research

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2024 HUDSONALPHA WIREGRASS RESOURCE GUIDE

About HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology ...............................3–6 HudsonAlpha Wiregrass ................................................................... 7-11 Agriculture Research Key Initiatives . .................................................12 Education Key Initiatives . ...................................................................14 Economic Development Key Initiatives ...............................................16 HudsonAlpha Community Engagement Council ..................................18

HUDSONALPHA | hudsonalpha.org HUDSONALPHA WIREGRASS | hudsonalpha.org/wiregrass

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Wiregrass

HudsonAlpha Wiregrass (@HAWiregrass)

HudsonAlpha Wiregrass

science for life ®

Our Mission and Vision The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a nonprofit institute dedicated to developing and applying scientific ad- vances to health, agriculture, learning and commercialization. Since opening in 2008, HudsonAlpha’s vision has leveraged the synergy between discovery, education, medicine and economic development in genomic sciences to improve the human condition around the globe.

The HudsonAlpha biotechnology campus consists of 152 acres nestled within Cummings Research Park, the nation’s second largest research park. The state-of-the-art facilities co-locate nonprofit scientific researchers with entrepreneurs and educators. HudsonAlpha is a national and international leader in genetics and genomics research and biotech education. More than 45 diverse biotech companies also call the HudsonAlpha campus home.

HudsonAlpha is at the forefront of understanding how genomics can lead to breakthroughs in treating society’s most challenging issues, from cancer and neurodegenerative diseases to feeding and fueling the world. This integrated model positions HudsonAl- pha at the leading edge of scientific innovation. HudsonAlpha is supported by grants from the U.S. federal government, the state of Alabama, private foundations, the HudsonAlpha Foundation, resident associate company revenue and philanthropic contributions. $300 MILLION MORE THAN IN FEDERAL GRANT DOLLARS HAS BEEN AWARDED TO SUPPORT AND FUND HUDSONALPHA RESEARCH

WHAT DOES HUDSONALPHA DO?

Genomic Research

* Earlier and/or less invasive diagnostics * Better, more customized treatments for disease * Improved food, fiber and energy sources

HudsonAlpha scientists are adding to the world’s body of knowledge about the basis of life, health, disease and biodiversity and seeking to enable:

Current research focus areas are: Foundational Research

Plant Science and Sustainable Agriculture Applying genomic knowledge to agriculture and bioenergy to create a more sustainable world

Genomic Health Leveraging the power of the human genome to diagnose, predict and prevent disease as well as helping others incorpo- rate genomics into practice

Improving the understanding of biological phenomena. Includes studies of natural variation, princi- ples of bioethics, and computation- al biology and bioinformatics

Human Health

Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders Including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, ALS, Huntington disease, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism and epilepsy

Rare disease Undiagnosed childhood genetic disorders

Cancer Multiple forms of cancer, including breast, ovarian, prostate, kidney, brain, colon and pancreatic

1,080+ PUBLICATIONS OUR RESEARCHERS HAVE PUBLISHED MORE THAN SECURING A GLOBAL LEADERSHIP POSITION IN GENOMICS

Educational Outreach HudsonAlpha's Educational Outreach team inspires and trains the next generation of life science researchers and workforce. The dynamic educators at HudsonAlpha reach students, educators, medical practitioners, and the community through hands-on classroom modules, in-depth school and workshop experiences, and digital learning. HudsonAlpha also provides educational op- portunities for healthcare providers and learning tools for patients who are making medical decisions using personal genomic information.

Student Experiences Field trips, classroom visits by industry leaders, summer camps, in-depth internships, and college-level laboratory courses engage students in

Classroom Kits and Digital Resources HudsonAlpha developed kits and activities to engage elementary and middle school students in hands-on experiences that match state curriculum requirements related to DNA and genetics. Multi- ple laboratory activities have also been crafted for students in grades 9-12. Activities highlight topics such as trait inheritance patterns, extracting DNA, exploring chromosome behavior in cells, diagnos- ing genetic disorders, and using bioinformatics da- tabases. Many of these resources are commercially available to classrooms around the nation through a partnership with Carolina Biological (www.Carolina.com).

biotech fields, increase exposure to career options, provide mentoring opportunities and equip stu- dents with content-specific skills.

Educator Professional Learning HudsonAlpha provides opportunities for teacher professional learning, ranging from single-day workshops to ongoing classroom support. These increase an educator’s confidence in discussing genetic concepts and terminology along with the associated ethical, social and legal issues.

13,639,124 FROM 2008-2023 HUDSONALPHA HAS IMPACTED PEOPLE WITH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Economic Development

HudsonAlpha strengthens and diversifies Alabama’s economy by fostering success in life sciences companies of all stages and sizes. Its 152-acre biotech campus within Cummings Research Park supports more than 45 resident associate compa- nies, from startups to global leaders, with space for more. HudsonAlpha offers turnkey and build-to-suit laboratory and office space for lease in an energizing environment with superior shared amenities. Bioscience enterprises on campus benefit from access to HudsonAlpha researchers as well as strategic support through investor forums, workforce and business assistance, marketing resources and bioscience networking events.

l Providing opportunities to showcase resident associate companies to local, regional and national audiences through scientific confer- ences, economic development forums and policy-maker engagement. l Accelerating biotech business success through close proximity to performers, collaborators and customers within the life sciences industry. l Cost savings through shared life sciences prod- ucts and services including access to discount pricing on lab supplies and equipment.

ECONOMIC IMP 4.2 BILLION SINCE INCEPTION, HUDSONALPHA HAS GENERATED FOR ALABAMA’S ECONOMY.

ACT REPORT

WHAT IS HUDSONALPHA WIREGRASS?

HudsonAlpha Wiregrass is a public-private collaboration between HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the City of Dothan to expand HudsonAlpha’s mission of developing and applying scientific advances to health, agriculture, learning and commercialization into the Wiregrass region.

HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will be an anchor tenant in the Wiregrass Innovation Center, a major part of Dothan’s downtown development.

Activity at HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will center around three specific areas:

RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Wiregrass Innovation Center Groundbreaking in 2024 Opening in 2025

KEY INITIATIVES AT A GLANCE Note: Potential paths to accomplish HudsonAlpha Wiregrass initiatives are outlined below. The actual approach may differ, based on circum- stances and new opportunities encountered along the way.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Use genomics-assisted breeding and selection to develop disease-resistant, high-yielding peanut varieties for the Wiregrass region.

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH Bring genomics education and its application to agriculture to Wiregrass students, educators, breeders, farmers, employees, entrepreneurs, and the general public.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Expand agriscience innovation and generate new jobs and economic opportunities to the region.

WHAT WILL HUDSONALPHA WIREGRASS DO?

RESEARCH at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the Wiregrass Area

HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will use the power of genomics to develop more drought- and disease-resistant peanut varieties and other agriculturally important crops to thrive in the Wiregrass region. Research conducted by HudsonAlpha Wiregrass scientists and bioinformaticians in agriculture could lead to breakthroughs in food, fuel, feed and fiber production. Naturally occurring DNA changes produce plants with higher yields, increased resistance to pests and disease and the ability to grow under different environmental conditions like more extreme temperatures and rainfall levels. HudsonAlpha Wiregrass researchers will work with local farmers, schools, breeders and others to identify and incorporate these changes into agriculturally important crops, creating varieties that thrive in the Wiregrass.

The HudsonAlpha Center for Plant Science and Sustainable Agriculture applies genomics to plant research to create more sustainable farming practices, address the challenges of climate change, breed plants that are resistant to pests and fungi, and much more. We can identify problems in the field, discover genomic solutions by combining evolutionary and computational genomics, and apply functional genomics to transform and improve the plant or crop. The Plant Center brings trusted experts and thought leaders in plant genomics together to plan and execute agricultural projects.

Bringing the most advanced techniques of genomic research to plants and agriculture

USE GENOMICS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS IN AGRICULTURE AND HELP FARMERS

WHAT WILL HUDSONALPHA WIREGRASS DO?

at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the Wiregrass Area

HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will partner with K-12 and higher education institutions in the region to build a robust STEM workforce pipeline through educator professional learning workshops, student experi- ences and internships. Educational programs will bring engaging, hands-on resources and programs to students, educators and the broader community showcasing the application of genetics and biotechnology on agriculture, human health and other life sciences and career fields. Genomics education will connect with local schools and the larger ag-tech community through class- room kits, workshops, field trips, research-driven experiments, summer programs, internships and workforce development initiatives. Townhalls, seminars and science nights will introduce genomic concepts and technologies to the wider community.

Student Experiences

Building a workforce for tomorrow’s jobs

Educator Professional Learning

INSPIRE AND TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION FOR CAREERS IN THE WIREGRASS

WHAT WILL HUDSONALPHA WIREGRASS DO?

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the Wiregrass Area

HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will work closely with regional leaders to grow and recruit ag-tech companies and foster an ecosystem for entrepreneurs and small businesses. It will strengthen and diversify the area’s economy by focusing on bio science companies. HudsonAlpha Wiregrass Economic Development will uti- lize a collaborative approach to identify areas of promise within the ag-tech field and implement strategies to build on an ecosystem leading to new partnerships with exist- ing companies, startup ventures and an overall emphasis of doing business in the region. By evaluating innovation possibilities, engaging local and regional stakeholders, leveraging current business resources and establishing and supporting new ventures, HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will expand agriscience innova- tion, generating new jobs and economic opportunities for the area.

Provide strategic entrepreneurial support through biotech mentoring programs, marketing resources, bioscience networking events, investor forums, business assistance, and workforce development alongside HudsonAlpha researchers.

FOSTER THE SUCCESS OF WIREGRASS COMPANIES TO GENERATE ECONOMIC IMPACT

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH KEY INITIATIVES

INITIATIVE 1 Genomic-assisted breeding and selection to develop disease-resistant, high-yielding peanut varieties for the Wiregrass ❏ Selection of lines for Backcross 3 ❏ Backcross 3: Germination I ONA extraction Library Preparation I Sequencing and Analysis ❏ Year 1 Agronomy Yield Trials Begin ❏ Phenotype selections from Backcross 3 and select for advanced trials New crosses INITIATIVE 2 Cooperative agronomy/plant breeding with Wiregrass research extension station ❏ First year of trials INITIATIVE 3 Genomics-assisted breeding to develop other economically-desirable plant varieties I ❏ Integrate genomics to impact economically important plant species Kickoff TIMBER grant

The Alabama peanut industry strongly supports HudsonAlpha’s research for developing varieties suitable for our growers. With researchers from across the South working to develop peanuts with disease resistance and suitable for dryland conditions, farmers can reap the benefits of HudsonAlpha’s use of genetic data.

Libbie Johnson | Executive Director Alabama Peanut Producers Association

EDUCATION KEY INITIATIVES

INITIATIVE 1 Student participation in plant breeding project ❏ Ongoing planting and selection ❏

Development of teacher and student resources to allow program to be carried out with less hands-on involvement from HudsonAlpha team ❏ Program expands to additional schools INITIATIVE 2 Educator professional learning experiences ❏ Middle school and 1 highschool workshop held in the Wiregrass region In-classroom educator support expands to additional classrooms ❏ Wiregrass middle and high school educators invited to participate in Huntsville-based multi-day summer workshops ❏ Undergraduate students participating in CODE Project are invited to present their research at the annual Student Symposium INITIATIVE 3 Out-of-class student experiences middle school summer camps held in the Wiregrass in temporary teaching laboratory space ❏ High school “Genes and Greens” summer program held in the Wiregrass in temporary teaching laboratory space INITIATIVE 4 Student certification/internships ❏ Support Wallace CC and local high school CTE programs in the implementation of relevant training courses/certifications ❏ Launch Wiregrass undergraduate internships at ag-tech companies (timing and scope dependent on the ag tech market) INITIATIVE 5 Public outreach ❏ Be responsive to requests for public presentations from community leaders Build on-going relationships with community organizations ❏ Continue HudsonAlpha U public education program with at least 3 events held in the Wiregrass region

Our students have been engaged and excited about the WIREGRASS Peanut Project. They have learned about the importance of peanuts to our area and also about the science and research that is critical to creating a better peanut. I am confident some of our students will pursue careers in the genomics field directly due to this work by HudsonAlpha. We are very thankful to be a part of this program.

Jillian Etress, Biology teacher, Cottonwood High School

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KEY INITIATIVES

INITIATIVE 1 Innovation Evaluation ❏

Establish informal circle of advisors regarding Wiregrass innovation

❏ Identify potential startup opportunities based on year 1 work (interviews, discussions, market research) ❏ Engage with area high schools, 2 and 4 year colleges regarding small business development and entrepreneurship INITIATIVE 2 Stakeholder strategy and coordination ❏ Continuation of previous year’s activity

INITIATIVE 3 Startup focus ❏

Startup supports for business opportunities identified in Initiative 1

❏ Business plan competitions, seminar series, mentoring, access to capital ❏ Explore and secure partnerships and collaborations with existing wiregrass companies and regional, state, national organizations INITIATIVE 4 Ecosystem building ❏ Front Door 1 Walking start with identified and engaged partners from small business development areas and local/regional incubators ❏ Shared Lab 1 Soft launch with partners, collaborators and startups based on information gathered in Year 1 ❏ Initiate angel investment fund

Grow Southeast Alabama is an 11-county coalition committed to job growth and the entrepreneurial spirit. We are honored to work with HudsonAlpha Wiregrass on many initiatives as we all work to build a better and brighter Southeast Alabama. Creating jobs, stronger communities, and providing new careers is in our DNA and we look forward to a long and productive collaboration with HudsonAlpha Wiregrass.

Melody Lee | Executive Director Grow Southeast Alabama

HUDSONALPHA COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The purpose of the Committee is to strengthen the collabora- tion, communication and engagement of the local community, businesses, local government entities, the City of Dothan and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology.

The goals of the Committee are to identity and recommend potential opportunities that advance the goals of HudsonAlpha Wiregrass , provide non-binding recommendations on topics relevant to the work of HudsonAlpha Wiregrass to City of Dothan and HudsonAlpha leadership, and in- crease overall awareness of HudsonAlpha Wiregrass efforts. “We’re excited to spread the word of the incredible work the education, research, and economic development teams are doing at HudsonAlpha Wiregrass for the City of Dothan and surround- ing communities,” said Dean Mitchell, HudsonAlpha Wiregrass Director. “These 12 incredible members of the community will play a very important and vital role by utilizing their free time to spread the word and help shape the direction of HudsonAlpha Wiregrass.” The Committee consists of 12 members, including seven appointed by the City of Dothan, and five appointed by HudsonAlpha Wiregrass. These members will serve four-year terms, and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The committee is composed of individuals who represent the agricultural, educational and business interests of Dothan and the Wiregrass region.

The members of the inaugural HudsonAlpha Wiregrass Community Engagement Committee:

City of Dothan Appointed Members

HudsonAlpha Wiregrass Appointed Members

Josh McCoy Thompson Farms in Headland

Dr. Marnix Heersink Co-Founder of Eye Center South

Stephen Holland Property Champions Real Estate in Dothan Michael Jackson Director at Aunt Katie’s Community Garden

Jillian Etress Cottonwood High School teacher Chris Parker Director of Wiregrass Research and Experiment Station Troy Fountain President of Wiregrass Foundation Delvick McKay HR Director at City of Dothan and Tuskegee University graduate

Chris Kelly Kelly Seed in Geneva County

Kimberly Trotter Mayor of Rehobeth

Paula Dean Houston Academy Educator Melanie Hill Dothan City School Board