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2009-2010 CALS Chancellor's Report Impacts
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Our Annual Report to the Chancellor of NCSU captures significant outcomes from our research programs in the life sciences and agriculture.
Highlighted projects typically generate new patents, improve farming or manufacturing systems, or otherwise contribute the physical and economic health
of North Carolina, and beyond.
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Highlights from NCARS 2009-2010 Report to the Chancellor
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Full 2009-2010 Chancellor's Annual Report >> |
Plants & Human Health
With support from state appropriations; a $2 million gift from David Murdock of Dole Foods; $1 million from the NC Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund; a $1 million gift from local businessman, Ben Jones; and federal and private competitive grants, the Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) aims to enhance the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables and related compounds to improve human health and prevent disease.
Located at the NC Research Center Campus, the PHHI includes 31 NC State researchers and support staff, plus the seven-member outreach team with NC MarketReady. The PHHI building is occupied, including several partners; and over $12 million of scientific equipment and instrumentation have been installed. The PHHI, collaborating with the David H. Murdock Research Institute, and a nationwide consortium is sequencing the blueberry genome, and a draft 70x coverage sequence has been completed.
Contact: Mary Ann Lila, Steve Lommel |
Health & Well-being
Foundational work with preclinical drug testing in mice has been translated to identification of gene variants that predispose humans to acetaminophen toxicity. Comparison of mutations in the respective p53 genes associated with ovarian cancers in humans and domestic hens revealed similarities that will allow accelerated studies for chemoprevention and biomarker development in the bird model. Advanced methodology and software that analyze genetic associations are being used to identify genetic variants that predict common, yet complex, diseases that result from an interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
NCSU researchers have developed and distributed a software package that is being tested around the world to investigate chemotherapy response, HIV microbiome growth, response to acupuncture treatment, neurotoxicity after platinum therapy, and other human health concerns.
Contact: David Threadgill, James Petitte, Allison Motsinger-Reif |
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TAK1 Kinase Signalling Control
TAK1 kinase signaling has been discovered to control cell death and survival in tissues and cancer cells.
This observation raises new approaches to modulate cell viability in in vitro tissues and tumors.
The discovery is also important for regulation of tissue damage-associated inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's Disease, suggesting that enhancing TAK1 signaling may be beneficial for preventing tissue damage in several specific tissues.
This finding may also evoke research to develop new therapeutic drugs for inflammation and cancer.
Contact: Jun Tsuji |
Ecology & Environment
NCSU research to assess and mitigate ecological impacts of invasive species led to new management and containment strategies for controlling the invasive white perch and protecting the threatened Carolina madtom. Hydrilla acreage in Lake Gaston decreased from 3,000 acres to 1,500 acres with assistance from the aquatic/cropland weed control program, resulting in a savings of $1 million per year for this single body, and demonstrating that with new control strategies, hydrilla tuber banks may be reduced 56 to 67% in a year.
Wetland creation and restoration techniques were developed and evaluated for native vegetation adapted to each elevation and salinity water zone required to support intertidal marshes. Restored wetlands provide new fish and wildlife habitats and perform many of the functions of natural wetlands.
Contact: Derek Aday, Rob Richardson, Stephen Broome |
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Mitigating Nematode Parasitism in Plants
Using the power of genomics, fundamental scientific discoveries have been made that will lead to strategies to prevent nematodes from infesting plants by disrupting vulnerable points for parasitism, reducing the detrimental economic, environmental and societal impacts of nematode diseases.
In 2009, technology from this research was licensed to a major U.S. agricultural company, which also entered into a collaborative research agreement with the project investigator to develop applications which enhance agricultural production.
Contact: Eric Davis |
Broilers & Incubation Temperature
Intermittent heating of incubating chick eggs from days 7 to 16 produced birds that had lower metabolic rates, improved heat loss, and decreased stress at market age.
Intermittent heating from days 16 to 18 produced birds that had 1% more breast muscle and less abdominal fat at market age. In both approaches, changes in incubation conditions did not adversely affect hatchability and quality of the hatched chicks. Together, these developments could represent $45 million annual benefit to the poultry industry.
Contact: John Brake |
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Plants & Human Environments
The ornamentals breeding program is developing superior plants and germplasms with greater adaptability, reduced need for pesticides, improved environmental quality, and greater value for growers and consumers. Five new plant variety disclosures were made, two patents were issued, five patent applications were filed, and three production and marketing licenses were negotiated. One exceptional new nursery cultivar can potentially generate wholesale sales of $1 to $2 million; and associated retail sales, including installation, can generate twice that amount.
The Horticultural Substrates Laboratory evaluates mulch, soil amendments and potting soil products for technical standards, wettability, and toxicity to observe compliance with industry certification standards.
Major retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's require certification of many of these products sold in their stores. In 2009, over 100 million bags of these products carried the certification mark.
Contact: Tom Ranney, Dennis Werner, William Fonteno |
Reducing Pesticide Impact in Horticultural Food Crops
"Chemigation" through drip systems eliminates spray drift and accumulation of residues on plant surfaces, and reduces exposures to workers and beneficial insects. Field research with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers indicates this approach yields equivalent or improved pest control, with a 61% reduction in pesticide use 26% savings in pesticide costs. Since most vegetable growers use drip irrigation, growers may immediately implement a management strategy offering both an economic benefit and reduced risk to farm workers and the environment.
Researchers have also developed a new natural herbicide that is exceptionally safe, can be certified for organic systems, is broad spectrum, is active at levels similar to commercial herbicides and is unique in killing the target plant in less than 30 minutes, while most other materials take a week or more. The technology has been submitted for a U.S. patent and is being evaluated by major agricultural companies.
Contact: James Walgenbach, Michael Roe, George Kennedy |
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Reduced Energy Needs & Curing Costs of Tobacco
In an ongoing effort to reduce tobacco curing costs, engineers examined variable frequency drive controls for fans and automated wood chip fuel system for the heat source for tobacco flue-curing barns. The variable frequency control system installed on barns reduced curing electricity by up to 40% with no effect on curing time or leaf quality. The wood-fueled curing system coupled with variable frequency fan controls can reduce curing costs of curing tobacco by as much as 60%.
Contact: Mike Boyette, Grant Ellington |
Alternative Marketing Arrangements (AMAs) Benefit Crop Farmers
AMAs help farmers manage risks, especially price risk, and reducer farmers' transaction costs by providing alternative market access. Even though AMAs are associated with marketing 36% of U.S. agricultural products (ranging from a variety of crops to livestock), their use remains controversial, especially in the livestock sector, where supply control is a concern. With a clear understanding of these benefits, policy makers should be able to make more informed decisions that will benefit farmers and rural economies.
Contact: Xiaoyong Zheng |
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