Four Noble Foundation scientists receive OCAST funding

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - January 14, 2010

ARDMORE, Okla. — Four scientists with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation received almost $360,000 in funding this week from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST).

The OCAST governing board approved six, two-year basic plant science proposals for a total of $538,641 Tuesday. The competitive awards are open to Oklahoma scientists engaged in basic or applied research in the field of plant sciences.

"These awards are indicative of the quality of research conducted at the Noble Foundation," said Michael A. Cawley, president and chief executive officer. "We are pleased to play such an important role in advancing agriculture and plant science research in Oklahoma and around the world."

OCAST applicants undergo external peer review, and funds are awarded on merit for basic research. For applied applications, awards are based on economic impact and commercialization potential. A dollar-for-dollar match, typically from federal or private funds, is required from the winning applicants.

"Our system of peer review helps determine rankings of the applications. Plants are becoming increasingly important for development of new treatments for disease and new sources of energy," said Michael Carolina, OCAST executive director. The grants are part of the fourth round of research to receive support under the Oklahoma Plant Science Research program, which began in 2007.

The four Noble Foundation scientists to receive OCAST funding are:

• Lloyd Sumner, Ph.D. Sumner will research plants that have antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer potential. He will seek fundamental molecular, genetic and biochemical information relative to the biosynthesis of saponins in legumes. The research also will enable the future metabolic engineering of crops. Total award is $88,833.

• Elison Blancaflor, Ph.D. Blancaflor will seek to uncover molecular pathways through which the actin component of the cytoskeleton interacts with the plant hormone auxin in mediating primary root elongation. Knowledge gained is expected to help design strategies to enhance plant productivity and yield for renewable biomass. While initial benefits will be for crops, the research is expected to have applications for human biology and medicine. Total award is $89,808.

• Carolyn Young, Ph.D. Young will lead the effort to discover and annotate a set of symbiosis-expressed genes from N. coenophialum using cutting edge technology - laser capture microdissection. The project could be a step towards achieving the long-term goal of understanding and using these fungal symbionts for society's benefit. Total award is $90,000.

• Ping Xu, Ph.D. Xu will focus her research on virus-induced plant lethality where systemic necrosis leads to rapid plant death. Such disease outbreaks have occurred in several important crops. Specifically, Xu will seek to develop a better understanding of the host response to cucumber mosaic virus and D satellite RNA infection. At completion, the project has the potential to directly improve tomato disease resistance and to increase the understanding of host-virus interactions in general. Total award is $90,000.

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For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.