Scientists are working to bioengineer a common defense mechanism that most plants develop naturally to protect against drought, insects and other environmental stresses.

The goal is to identify the genetic structure of a plant cuticle and create a roadmap for breeding plants with designer cuticles that can respond to changing climates. The cuticle is a thin, waxy layer that provides a physical barrier between the plant and its environment. The work also has potential biorenewable applications for developing value-added chemicals with industrial functions.

Don Sakaguchi, Morrill Professor and director of Iowa State University's undergraduate biology and geneitcs programs, co-led the spring 2022 semester course (Biology 394, a Caribbean marine biology field course) and traveled with the class to Roatan last spring break. Roatán is located off the coast of Honduras to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world's second largest barrier reef system. This dive destination is also home to the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences, a research and teaching destination. 

The 2022 trip was Sakaguchi's 11th time leading the unique, hands-on learning experience.

Carolyn Lawrence-Dill, associate dean of research and discovery for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Iowa State University, has joined the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) Board of Directors. FFAR is a national organization focused on building public-private partnerships to fund bold research initiatives addressing challenges in food and agriculture.

Lawrence-Dill is a professor in agronomy and in genetics, development and cell biology.

An in-depth article, "Lawrence-Dill joins Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research board of directors," is available on the CALS webpage.

Two Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB) faculty members and 24 other Iowa State University (ISU) researchers join the ISU Office of the Vice President for Research 2022-23 Research Collaboration Catalysts (RCC) cohort. Joining the RCC cohort from GDCB are Dior Kelley, assistant professor, and Marna Yandeau-Nelson, associate professor. The RCC is "designed to train the next generation of research team leaders."

Discover all members of the 2022-23 RCC and learn more about the program by reading the entire VPR article, "OVPR welcomes 26 campus research leaders to 2022-23 cohort" by Dan Kirkpatrick.

An Iowa State University (ISU) student-focused research project led by three Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB) faculty and other ISU faculty received $19,191 in funding from the F. Wendell Miller Faculty Fellowship Awards program for the 2022-23 academic year. This project is one of 13 ISU projects that received funding this year.

The faculty team includes Clark Coffman, Mohan Gupta and Hua Bai, GDCB; Corinna Most and John Pleasants, EEOB; Mollie Appelgate, School of Education; and Tom Neppl, landscape architecture.

Nine Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB) graduate students received GDCB travel awards in spring 2022. The awards help to partially offset the student’s cost of attending virtual or in-person conferences.

Recipients of the Sui-Tong Chan Fung Travel Awards are Angela Bunning, Ankur Kumar and Ha Vu. Dale W. Young and W.E. Loomis Award recipients are Zakayo Kazibwe, Ching-Yi Liao and Brian Zebosi. Abesh Bera, Xiaoyi Cheng and Vaishali Todi are recipients of GDCB Travel Awards.