Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

BROOKINGS, S.D. - A cereal plant genomics researcher who has partnered with South Dakota State University faculty will present lectures at SDSU Oct. 16 and 17. The events are free and open to the public.

Richard Flavell, a leader in plant biotechnology, will present a lecture entitled “How Do We Use Homegrown Grasses to Reduce Oil Imports?” at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory, room 103, on the campus of SDSU.

Flavell is a researcher with Ceres, Inc., and an adjunct professor at the University of California in Los Angeles. He will present his second lecture, “Turning Biomass Energy Crops Into Commercial Reality” at 10 a.m. Oct. 17 in the Alumni Auditorium at the South Dakota Art Museum, also located at SDSU.

While Flavell's accomplishments are many, he was a member of the research group in England that first successfully cloned plant DNA. This work led to the isolation and sequencing of plant genes, and the production of the first transgenic plants.

Bill Gibbons, a professor of biology and microbiology at SDSU, said Flavell's work with plants, many that would thrive in South Dakota and could be used for biofuels, makes his visit a significant event.

“He is definitely a leader in plant genomics, but more importantly, his company has aims for South Dakota, things that may affect everyone, not just producers or bioenergy researchers,” Gibbons said. “Flavell's role in the Industrial-University Collaborative Research Center, and SDSU's place in that entity, should remind everyone of the existing relationship between this renowned researcher and our university.”

Ceres, Inc., was one of 30 founding members of the IUCRC; SDSU and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are among the universities involved in the center.

Tom Schumacher, a professor of soil biophysics and soil conservation and management at SDSU, said Flavell's international take on the industry, make his presentations important to all South Dakotans.

“Academics, crop producers, and the public all need to be informed if we are all to have direction and progress in the future,” said Schumacher. “Several SDSU scientists have already collaborated with him and with the Center for Biofuel Research and Development.”

Flavell's presentations are part of the Robert H. and Katherine Burris Distinguished Lecture Series in Plant Biochemistry. Robert and Katherine Burris contributed funds for the annual distinguished lectureship series at SDSU, sponsored jointly by the departments of chemistry/biochemistry and plant science.

The endowment provides opportunities to bring biochemists that make significant contributions in research and practice to SDSU.

For more information on Flavell's research, visit www.ceres.net.

Comments »

Comment on this story

Comments will be approved within 48 hours