Vol. 8. Num. 1 - Oct 2007
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| Ernest W. Lindstrom created the first genetics department at Iowa State. He headed the department for 26 years. |
A research initiative before its time
Ernest W. Lindstrom created the first Genetics Department at Iowa State. He headed the
department for 26 years.
Crop Protection Initiative takes new direction
This year Iowa suffered extensive outbreaks of soybean aphids, Aphis glycines. Millions of acres
of farmland were sprayed to control the pest, because if left untreated, aphids can reduce soybean
yields by up to 40 percent.
Closing a gap
"Even with 15 years worth of genomic research, a gap still remains between research discoveries and
their application to crop improvement," says Bill Beavis, George F. Sprague Endowed Chair and professor
in the Department of Agronomy.
Massively parallel science
The Plant Sciences Institute helped to usher in a whole generation of genomic-related technologies to
the Iowa State University campus. But advances in technology never end, so it is important that we stay
ahead in this rapidly evolving area.
Getting a rapid read on plants
A new tool being developed at Iowa State will allow scientists to swiftly assess qualities in plants
being selected and grown for eventual conversion to biofuels.
