OSU researchers win OCAST funding

Friday, March 11, 2011

Five OSU researchers have received Oklahoma Plant Science research funding from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

Million Tadege was awarded $100,000 to study the molecular basis of leaf blade development in Medicago Truncatula to improve photosynthetic efficiency.

William Henley will receive $99,972 to develop the intellectual foundation to support a new algal biofuels industry in Oklahoma.

Mark Fishbein was awarded $99,581 to provide a proof of concept to conduct a more extensive screen of the genes that defend against the consumption of plants by insects.

Andrew Doust will receive $100,000 to study water-use efficiency and improved drought resistance of biofuel grasses using foxtail and green millet in studying several model systems.

Kefyalew Desta was awarded $72,716 to study the impact of day length, temperature and soil moisture on the growth and yield of teff, which is an annual tri-purpose grass crop that is important to many parts of the U.S.  The results will help technologists make recommendations for successfully growing teff in Oklahoma and neighboring states.