Synthetic Biology Approach to Making Drought Tolerant Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Presenter Information

Natalie M. Holste

Department

Biological Sciences

Major

Biological Sciences, minor in Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering

Research Advisor

Westenberg, David J.

Advisor's Department

Biological Sciences

Funding Source

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences Fellows

Abstract

Droughts all across the globe are causing hardship to crops and creating food shortages. One complication for the soil in the regions with drought is high salt concentrations. Because of osmosis, plants' cells shrivel up, therefore becoming useless and killing the plants. Drought also affects the bacteria that associate with plant roots, particularly nitrogen-fixing symbionts of legume plants. The project would let agriculture be introduced to drier areas of the planet. This will allow more crops to be grown and food to be made because they can survive in high salt conditions. The goal of my project is to develop successful salt tolerant strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum that would protect crops. The success of this project would bring about many positive changes to agriculture and the world.

Biography

Natalie Holste grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and is now a Junior pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences. She is greatly involved on campus. Some involvement includes being a Lead of the Horticulture subteam of The Solar House Design Team, a euphonium player in the Missouri S&T Wind Symphony, and a new active member of Phi Sigma Rho. In her free time, Ms. Holste loves to play badminton and the piano. After receiving her Bachelor of Science, she plans to attend graduate school for a PhD and settle down into a job doing research.

Presentation Type

OURE Fellows Proposal Oral Applicant

Document Type

Presentation

Award

2016-2017 OURE Fellows recipient

Location

Turner Room

Presentation Date

11 Apr 2016, 2:00 pm - 2:20 pm

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Apr 11th, 2:00 PM Apr 11th, 2:20 PM

Synthetic Biology Approach to Making Drought Tolerant Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Turner Room

Droughts all across the globe are causing hardship to crops and creating food shortages. One complication for the soil in the regions with drought is high salt concentrations. Because of osmosis, plants' cells shrivel up, therefore becoming useless and killing the plants. Drought also affects the bacteria that associate with plant roots, particularly nitrogen-fixing symbionts of legume plants. The project would let agriculture be introduced to drier areas of the planet. This will allow more crops to be grown and food to be made because they can survive in high salt conditions. The goal of my project is to develop successful salt tolerant strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum that would protect crops. The success of this project would bring about many positive changes to agriculture and the world.