A GREENER TOMORROW
scientists can develop perennial grasses with improved yield, quality, and stress tolerance, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly bioproduct industry.
ufacturing by transitioning from petroleum and environ- mentally harmful fibers to sustainable, locally sourced materials while creating new jobs in rural areas. The project centers on converting perennial agricul- tural grasses into a range of consumer goods. Potential applications include packaging, automotive components, and construction materials. By using underutilized mar- ginal land, this approach aims to create new markets for farmers and stimulate rural economic development. The team was one of 44 recipients of $1 million each in the first-ever “NSF Regional Innovation Engines Development Awards” program, announced in May 2023. These planning awards help establish collaborations to create economic, societal, and technological opportuni- ties for their regions. In late 2024, the team was invited to compete in the next stage of the second-ever US National Science Foundation (NSF) “Regional Innovation Engines” (NSF Engines) program for awards potentially totaling $160 million. ■
GREEN, CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY By understanding the genetic basis of key traits, re- searchers are paving the way for the development of high-yielding, climate-resilient perennial grasses that can be used to produce a wide range of sustainable bi- oproducts. The Greening the Southeast initiative aims to do just that, creating a green, circular bioeconomy in the Southeast US. Led by HudsonAlpha, the initia- tive also includes collaborators from the University of Tennessee, Auburn University, and more than 70 other institutes, companies, and organizations. The primary goal is to mitigate climate change impacts from man-
Plant biologist Morgan Brown and BRIDGES fellow Daija Stephen looking at plant callus tissue.
HUDSONALPHA INSTITUTE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
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