Soybean Database Will Help Breeders Engineer Better-Performing Plants: 12/366/2008
Thanks to a new, three-year $1.1 million grant from the United Soybean Board (USB), soybean farmers may soon be one step closer to better drought-tolerant soybean varieties.

Improving Soybean Digestibility: 12/353/2008
New research conducted by IPG member Kristin Bilyeu suggests that soybeans can be improved to increase digestibility, important for animal feed.

Soybean Genome Sequenced: 12/344/2008
The U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI) has released a complete draft assembly of the soybean (Glycine max) genetic code, making it widely available to the research community to advance new breeding strategies for one of the worlds most valuable plant commodities.

Tool Helps Identify Gene Function in Soybeans: 12/336/2008
In the race for bioengineered crops, sequencing the genome could be considered the first leg in a multi-leg relay. Once the sequence is complete, the baton is passed forward to researchers to identify genes functions. A draft sequence of the soybean genome is now available, and the complete genome will be available soon.

Former MU professor's plant genetics work broke ground: 11/319/2008
Professor George (György) P. Rédei, formerly of Columbia, died Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, in Nashville, Tennessee.

IPG Student Named Student Ambassador By American Society of Plant Biologists: 11/312/2008
Priyamvada Voothuluru, a doctoral student in the Interdisciplinary Plant Group at the University of Missouri, is one of only fifteen students nationwide named a Student Ambassador by the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB).

Multiple Defense Mechanisms Boost Norton Grapes Immunity: 11/310/2008
New USDA study uses Norton grape to understand innate immune systems of grapevines against fungal pathogens

Female Plant Communicates Rejection or Acceptance of Male: 10/298/2008
Without eyes or ears, plants must rely on the interaction of molecules to determine appropriate mating partners and avoid inbreeding. In a new study, University of Missouri researchers have identified pollen proteins that may contribute to the signaling processes that determine if a plant accepts or rejects individual pollen grains for reproduction.

Uncovering Disease Resistance in Soybean: 10/275/2008
Melissa Mitchum, assisant professor of plant sciences, was recently awarded an NSF grant to identify the genes essential for the soybean plants defense against the soybean cyst nematode. This project holds great promise for Missouri, where soybeans reign as the number one cash crop.

Student Sets Out on Expedition to Collect Wild Onions: 9/274/2008
An IPG graduate student was recently awarded a Lewis and Clark fellowship to collect, document, and explore the diversity of North American wild onions (Allium).

On Maize and Mutants: 9/270/2008
The research of IPG member Karen Cone featured in issue of SyndicateMizzou.

Chad Niederhuth Receives IPG Certificate of Achievement: 9/249/2008
Biology graduate student Chad Niederhuth is awarded a Certificate of Achievement for commitment to the interdisciplinary study of plant biology.

Online Pub Spotlights IPG Graduate Students: 9/248/2008
Plant Sciences graduate student Amy Replogle and biochemistry graduate student Severin Stevenson are showcased in a special issue of SyndicateMizzou.   

Sharp Lab Invited to Share Drought Expertise: 8/231/2008
Professor Robert Sharp and postdoctoral fellow Mineo Yamaguchi have been invited to share their expertise on root growth during drought conditions at a number of national and international conferences this fall.

Sharp Receives 2008 Mumford Faculty Award: 8/231/2008
The IPG congratulates Robert (Bob) Sharp, Professor in the Division of Plant Sciences, who was recently awarded the 2008 Mumford Outstanding Faculty Award.

Fall Graduate Courses Offered: 8/226/2008
A number of graduate-level courses offered this fall may be of interest to IPG students.

IPG Student Named Young Botanist of the Year: 7/213/2008
The Botanical Society of America has Nate Ellis, a graduating senior in the Division of Biological Sciences, as a Young Botanist of the Year, a distinction given to only twenty-seven students in the nation.

IPG Undergraduates Showcase their Discoveries: 7/213/2008
Eighteen undergraduate students working in IPG labs showcased their discoveries and creative accomplishments during a poster presentation at the 19th Annual Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum.

IPG Students Receive BSA Research Awards: 7/203/2008
Tatiana Arias and Patrick Edger, graduate students in the Division of Biological Sciences, received Graduate Student Research Awards from the Botanical Society of America (BSA).

IPG Member Elected to Board of Science Teachers of Missouri: 3/86/2008
Bruce McClure has been elected Director of the College Division for the Science Teachers of Missouri Board.