Faculty and staff in CAFNR are familiar with our divisions and departments, but not everyone is familiar with the numerous cross-disciplinary programs that exist within the College, often with linkages across campus and the nation. 

I have invited the leaders of these programs to use this space to tell us about the groundbreaking work going on within their areas of expertise. 

Thus begins an occasional series on these programs.  We lead with an overview of the National Center for Soybean Biotechnology as presented by Henry Nguyen.  

Regards,
Marc

The National Center for Soybean Biotechnology

The U.S. Congress selected the University of Missouri to host the National Center for Soybean Biotechnology (NCSB) based on our record of multidisciplinary research on plant sciences and the genetic structure of soybeans. The NCSB has quickly developed into one of the national preeminent programs of its kind and is emerging as an international leader in its field.

Soybean is the number one agricultural commodity in Missouri and a major oil seed crop in the United States. Missouri farmers grow 5 million acres of soybeans worth $1 billion, with an economic impact of nearly $3 billion. The U.S. produces 40 percent of the world’s soybean supply, valued at $20 billion. Soybean provides 80 percent of the fats and oils consumed in the nation and 6 million metric tons of soybean meal for poultry and animal feed. Biodiesel derived from soybean oil is a renewable biofuel contributing to the national energy policy to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

The National Center for Soybean Biotechnology is a collaborative program based at MU but also includes scientists in the USDA-ARS Plant Genetics Unit in Columbia and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis. The NCSB brings 40 scientists from 11 disciplines and three institutions together to improve soybeans through innovative, molecular approaches. These eminent scientists use the latest research techniques to address society’s fundamental concerns: food, health, energy and the environment.

Soybeans hold much promise for innovative uses in food (protein, fiber and other health benefits) and industry (biofuels, plastics, solvents and building materials). Soybeans, already widely recognized as an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids and isoflavones, promise to be an even more important part of the global diet and human disease prevention in the future.

The National Center for Soybean Biotechnology seeks to improve soybeans by modifying the genetics of the plant. We play a lead role in sequencing the soybean genome by supporting efforts to develop a detailed physical and genetic map of the soybean. This will reveal the intricacies of soybean parts, but not necessarily their function. Our scientists have embarked on a variety of programs that will examine gene function and regulation to more fully understand and improve soybean composition, quality and production constraints.

Breakthroughs in our understanding of soybean genetics will lead to cultivars that are resistant to drought, flooding, pests, temperature stress and other climate changes. For example, our scientists are currently focusing on improving resistance to soybean cyst nematode, which causes more crop losses than any other disease. This will help U.S. farmers maintain their global competitiveness and expand the market for soybeans.

Research within the NCSB focuses on major problems that affect soybean production and use, and the Center also provides educational opportunities to students and outreach services to producers, public agencies and consumers. No other U.S. university has positioned itself to provide the same comprehensive, multidisciplinary soybean research team to ensure U.S. soybean farmers’ competitiveness in the 21st century.

An important and unique feature of the NCSB is the ability to take discoveries from the laboratory to the field with a fully integrated team of researchers. The NCSB promotes interaction with other institutions and fosters partnerships with the private sector and producer organizations, particularly the Missouri Soybean Association, the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, the American Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board, to bring new innovations to soybean farmers, which ultimately benefit consumers.

For more detailed information about current research projects, please visit our NCSB Web site.

Henry T. Nguyen
Endowed Professor and Director