Genomics for sustainability The need for sustainable agricultural solutions has never been greater, given our rapidly changing climate and growing pressure on natural resources. At HudsonAlpha, our researchers apply their expertise in plant genomics to transform agriculture and industry, bringing innovative, plant-based products to market and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Faculty Investigators Jane Grimwood, PhD , Jeremy Schmutz , and Kankshita Swaminathan, PhD , are at the forefront of global efforts to make our world a more sustainable and cleaner place. IMPROVING THE GLOBAL TEXTILE INDUSTRY, ONE GENOME AT A TIME Scientists at the HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center, led by Jeremy Schmutz and Jane Grimwood, PhD, made major advancements for the global textile industry by developing high-quality reference genomes for three important cotton varieties. This resource allows breeders and farmers to selectively breed cotton
for more economically important traits like improved fiber quality while using fewer resources than traditional breeding methods. This breakthrough not only saves time but also reduces the tremendous cost to breeders and growers, as hundreds of thousands of cotton samples are traditionally needed to make selections based on desirable traits. By lead- ing to the production of better cotton with fewer resources, cotton breeders and farmers can shape a more sustainable textile industry.
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GENOMICS-DRIVEN BREEDING HAS AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON BREEDERS, GROWERS, AND FARMERS, AND MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN REDUCING THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY’S HEAVY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. FINDINGS LIKE THESE WILL REAP BENEFITS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
JEREMY SCHMUTZ FACULTY INVESTIGATOR
JANE GRIMWOOD, PHD FACULTY INVESTIGATOR
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