The Science in Our Food
The Center’s facilities serve as regional, national and international resources
Nigel’s research focuses on plant tissue culture and the genetic transformation technologies required to deliver genetically improved cassava to farmers in East and West Africa.
Monday, 11 September 2017
TechAccel Invests in Unique Sprayable RNAi Pesticide Technology
First “Path to Commercialization” Grant Awarded to Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Read More
Thursday, 29 December 2016
(St. Louis Public Radio) Danforth Center receives funding to expand cassava project to Nigeria
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center say a $10.45 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will allow them to expand a project to develop genetically modified cassava into Nigeria. Read More
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch) Danforth Center receives Gates Foundation grant to advance cassava research in Africa
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center have secured a multimillion-dollar grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which they say could help save a staple crop in Africa from steadily encroaching disease. Read More
Thursday, 01 December 2016
St. Louis Health and Environment Reporter Travels to Africa to Gain Insight into Challenges Facing African Farmers and the Potential Impact of Agriculture Research
Scientists are developing an improved cassava that will allow communities to produce more food and income from cassava farming. Read More
Tuesday, 25 October 2016
Plant Pulse
The Plant Pulse is a feature of the Danforth Center Roots and Shoots Blog that includes a sampling of interesting stories about agriculture, the environment, food security, climate change, bioenergy, events and the impact of plant science. Read More
Thursday, 13 October 2016
(St. Louis Public Radio) East African Farmers Consider Genetic Modification of Food Security Crops to Avoid Shortages
Jude Aleu, a cassava safety manager for Uganda’s National Crops Resources Research Institute, is working with scientists from the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to test cassava plants that are genetically modified to resist disease in a project called VIRCA — Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa. Read More
Tuesday, 04 October 2016
(St. Louis Public Radio) In Uganda, Cassava is a Staple in Times of Insecurity | Part 2
For Ugandans, the starchy tuber is more than a staple food crop. It helped people survive many years of war. Read More
Thursday, 22 September 2016
(St. Louis Public Radio) Danforth Center Collaborative Research Project Aims to Reduce Hunger in Developing World | Part 1
In many parts of East and Central Africa, farmers are experiencing declining yields of cassava due to brown streak virus, a plant disease that can render a crop inedible. Read More
Tuesday, 10 May 2016
(NTV Weekend) Disease Resistant Cassava, (East African) Diseases Pose Threats to Cassava Production
From Kenya, recent national news coverage of virus resistant cassava being developed and tested in the field by our VIRCA partners. Read More
Monday, 25 April 2016
Events and Accolades Mark the Dedication of the William H. Danforth Wing
Earlier this month, the Danforth Center celebrated its biggest milestone since the opening of the initial building in 2001. Read More
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
Scientist Honored with Award from First World Congress
Congratulations, Dr. Narayanan! Read More
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
From Lab to Field – Improving a Major Staple Crop for Food Security
Roots & Shoot’s guest blogger discusses the process a single cell goes through from the tissue culture lab to the cassava fields. Read More
Monday, 18 January 2016
(CBS Sunday Morning) Digging for Seeds of Truth in GMO Debate
By some estimates, 80 percent of all processed foods -- cereals, baby formula, canned soups and more -- contain at least one GMO, or Genetically Modified Organism. But whether GMOs are safe and whether they should be listed on the label has led to a very big food fight. Read More
Monday, 28 December 2015
Improving Crops With RNAi
RNA interference is proving to be a valuable tools for agriculture, allowing researchers to develop pathogen-resistant and more-nutritious crops. Read More
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Research Institute to Improve Crop Productivity in the Developing World
Science improving food security with collaboration. Read More
Monday, 20 July 2015
(The Scientist) Improving Crops with RNAi
Nigel Taylor, senior research scientist and Narender Nehra, director of regulatory affairs in the Institute for International Crop Improvement (IICI) co-authored this article about how RNA interference is proving to be a valuable tool for agriculture, allowing researchers to develop pathogen-resistant and more-nutritious crops. Read More
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
(National Geographic) The Next Green Revolution
Modern supercrops will be a big help. But agriculture can’t be fixed by biotech alone. Read More
Monday, 22 September 2014
Research at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Featured in National Geographic Series, The Future of Food
Research to improve agriculture productivity using cutting-edge technology at the Danforth Center is featured in the October issue of National Geographic. Read More
Monday, 22 October 2012
Danforth Center Expands Work to Improve Crop Productivity in the Developing World to New Level with New Institute for International Crop Improvement
Providing support and serving partnerships to enhance crops for food security ST. LOUIS, MO, October 22, 2012 – The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center’s Institute for International Crop Improvement (IICI), has been established to expand research ... Read More
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Golden Cassava Award Presented at International Scientific Conference
Kampala, Uganda, June 20, 2012—The Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century (GCP21) convened its second scientific conference on June 18 at the Speke Resort Conference Centre in Kampala, Uganda with an impressive opening ceremony featuring t ... Read More