U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, R-Mo., said he hopes the introduction of the research center will make Missouri a leader in biotechnology.

 

“Ten years ago,” he said, “I decided one of the most important things we could do in Missouri was to move into the 21^st Century as the “biotech valley” of the 21^st Century, like San Jose was the Silicon Valley of the 20^th Century. The most important thing was that we already had working in Missouri all the foundation for this type of revolution.”

 

Bond said the facility will bring researchers together with students and entrepreneurs. By creating this educational arena, he said, research will be able to move from the labs to the marketplace.

 

“It’s one thing to have tremendous research, and we do that,” he said. “But, research without application is just something that scientist can pat himself or herself on the back for.” Bond says the research done at the center could equal greater agricultural production, more nutritious food, drought-resistant and disease-resistant crops, environmental improvements, health benefits and other new products.

 

The MU Plant Science Research Center is a partnership between the federal and state government, the local community private industry and public institutions. The public institutions include the University of Missouri and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.

 

Source: Farm Journal