HudsonAlpha Impact Report 2023

PLANT GENOMICS

By studying plant genomics, HudsonAlpha scientists are unlocking the secrets hidden in plant DNA to find solutions that improve the quality and sustainability of our food, fuel, and fiber production, and safeguard the health of our environment. Changing weather patterns, increasing temperatures, and pests and diseases endanger crops that millions depend on for food and income, causing families worldwide to go hungry. Faculty Investigators Josh Clevenger, PhD, and Alex Harkess, PhD , are using plant genomics to identify genes responsible for desirable traits that can help plants survive in our changing world. Their work is improving economically and agriculturally important crops that help feed our planet.

Our researchers also aim to be stewards of sustainability, using genomics to create more efficient crops to help bring sustainable practices and products to market. By studying grasses like switchgrass and miscanthus, Faculty Investigators Jane Grimwood, PhD, Jeremy Schmutz, and Kankshita Swaminathan, PhD , are developing promising genomic tools for producing bioenergy and bioproducts. Spearheading HudsonAlpha’s Genome Sequencing Center, Grimwood and Schmutz are also growing the scientific community’s understanding of many agriculturally and medicinally important crops.

At HudsonAlpha, we are tackling some of the most serious challenges humanity faces, including improving agricultural sustainability, uncovering how plants help protect the environ- ment, and understanding how to leverage plant genetics to feed the world. Genomics is crucial to solving these problems and making globally significant discoveries. — Jeremy Schmutz, Faculty Investigator and Co-Director of the Genome Sequencing Center

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