DuPont - Pioneer

"Metabolic Engineering to Improve Soybean Seed Composition"

Host: Basil Nikolau

Soybean seeds, which contain approximately 40% protein and 20% oil, are an important source of crude vegetable oil for food and industrial uses including biodiesel.  Our overall goal is to generate soybean seed quality traits that provide added value for feed, fuel, industrial and food applications. 

Our first generation soybean quality trait was based upon improving the oxidative stability of soybean oil, which resulted in the development and commercialization of high oleic soybeans (Plenish™).  In addition to fatty acid manipulation, our current research efforts are directed at increasing the oil and protein content of soybean seeds, as well as improving the carbohydrate profile of the meal. 

Historically, there has been an inverse relationship between the oil and protein of the bean, high oil soybeans are usually low in protein and vice versa.  We have engineered soybeans to produce significantly more oil and protein, at the expense of unwanted carbohydrates. These new beans have to potential to redefine commodity soybeans.

BBMB GRADUATE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND! 
PLEASE JOIN US AT 3:45 P.M. IN THE MBB ATRIUM FOR REFRESHMENTS