Let's Talk About...Bringing Plant Science Discoveries to the Marketplace

Plants continue to develop mechanisms to help fight unwanted viruses. One of the most important tools that has been used for over a decade to fight these viruses is RNA silencing.

This immune response has the ability to adapt to all different types of viruses and can occur naturally to help scientists and researchers discover and investigate plant traits to improve crops. Another valuable feature is that the signal that triggers the RNA silencing is not confined to single cells, but has the ability to spread from the original site of infection to more distant tissues.

Through RNA silencing, scientists and researchers can better understand how plants resist pests and diseases, find treatments and possible cures, and how plants produce valuable products and survive in diverse and changing environments.

Researchers are now advancing RNA silencing technology to deliver new products that improve yield, and accelerate the ability of farmers to respond to changing growing conditions.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center’s “Conversations” series, sponsored by Boeing, will continue on Thursday, August 29, 2013. The program will feature Dr. Jim Carrington, President of the Danforth Center; and Dr. Tom Adams, Vice President of Chemistry Technology at Monsanto.

For more information about the event or to register, click here.

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