Exploring Crop Genomes, Advancing Crop Improvement

Patrick Schnable is the associate director of the Plant Sciences Institute, director of the Center for Plant Genomics, and director of the newly formed Center for Carbon Capturing Crops. He joined the Iowa State faculty in 1988 and is currently Baker Professor of Agronomy, holding appointments in the Departments of Agronomy and Genetics, Development and Cell Biology. He manages a research program that emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding plant biology. Schnable is a participant in the NSF-funded maize genome sequencing project and is chair of the international maize genetics executive committee. He recently helped write the first draft of the corn genome sequence, announced at the 50th Annual Maize Genetics Conference. Understanding the corn genome could help scientists improve corn plants so they withstand global climate change, add nutritional value to grain, sequester more atmospheric carbon in agricultural soils, and boost yields. Schnable received his B.S. from Cornell University and his Ph.D. from Iowa State University and conducted post-doctoral research at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. The Spring 2008 University Presidential Lecture.

A reception and display of student research will precede the lecture at 7:00 p.m. in the South Ballroom.