Projects
Corn is currently sold as a commodity with a fixed price per bushel. It has a tremendous variety of uses ranging from animal feed to sweeteners to industrial starch. The goal of our laboratory is to develop corn varieties tailored to specific end-users. This will make corn use much more efficient by eliminating the processing steps and additives currently required for many corn products. The increased value of the crop and reduced processing costs will result in economic gain for corn producers, processors and consumers.
USDA-ARS CRIS project:
Quantitative
Genetics and Grain Quality of corn with Jode Edwards
Nutritionally Optimized Feed-corn
With the help of swine nutritionists and corn breeders
at ISU, we are developing methods to produce corn which has been nutritionally
optimized for swine feed. Our approach is to improve the amino acid balance of
corn by altering the protein composition of the seed. To accomplish this goal
we are combining biotechnology based screening methods with traditional plant
breeding. The outcome will be corn which requires less supplementation and results
in less nitrogenous waste.
Plant Biotechnology
Our goal in this project is to determine the best strategy for producing foreign proteins in grain considering milling, extraction and purification that may be required on the way to the final product. We are using the Green Fluorescent Protein as a model protein because it is safe, easy to detect and has properties similar to those of many proteins that could potentially increase the value of corn when produced in grain.
Integrated Feedstock Supply
Systems for Corn Stover Biomass