2015 Annual Report
Published February 9, 2016
The 2015 annual report details the research activities of AgBioResearch for the year.
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Examining internal and external factors affecting pathogenic loads and ‘supershedders’
Jen Owen, an associate professor in the Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, is working on a project funded by the National Science Foundation to assess variation in the pathogen load in virus-infected birds.
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Studying signaling and gene regulation in bacteria
MSU AgBioResearch scientist Lee Kroos is conducting basic research on Bacillus subtilis and Myxococcus xanthus, soil bacteria that are model organisms for understanding cell-to-cell signaling and changes in gene expression that cause cell differentiation.
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Studying monetary incentive programs and their impact on social norms
MSU AgBioResearch scientists explore the intersection of cultural values and financial incentives to protect the environment.
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Developing alternative approach to assess stream health, use data more efficiently
Pouyan Nejadhashemi, an associate professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) at Michigan State University (MSU), is developing models that help improve stream health in Michigan.
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Market research reveals why consumers are drawn to wineries in Michigan
Though Michigan's wineries and grape industry ranks fourth in the United States in economic impact, challenges remain. Dan McCole is working to overcome some of the issues.
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A fresher vegetable: Re-evaluating how food is stored
Michigan State University AgBioResearch food scientist Elliot Ryser is studying the impact and increasing the efficacy of sanitizers and gases used in packaging fresh-cut produce.
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Collaboration looks at role diet might play in women’s blood pressure from pregnancy to later life
MSU researchers are looking at the relationship between diet and high blood pressure. READ
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Defining enzyme structure a step in the right direction to better understand bacteria function
Lactobacillus plantarum has great potential in the area of human health.
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Investigating algae’s full potential as an efficient renewable energy source
Scientists at MSU are learning more about the photosynthetic process from cyanobacteria with an eye on efficiency.
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Adapting human medical technology to predict plant diseases
MSU researchers are developing technology that helps growers fight off the next plant disease epidemic.
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Curtailing environmental harm through efforts in conservation criminology
To reduce environmental harm, Meredith Gore has been working in the area of conservation criminology, a joint effort between the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and the School of Criminal Justice.
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Loosening the belt: Fighting influenza with higher calorie diets
In a continued effort to reduce the common disease's impact, MSU AgBioResearch nutritional immunologist Elizabeth Gardner is developing a novel approach: during flu season, slacken dietary restrictions and eat a few more calories.
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The air we breathe: Studying the impact of air pollution in rural environments
Michigan State University AgBioResearch toxicologist Jack Harkema is studying the impacts of air pollution on rural populations.
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Inventorying U.S. forests to determine complete carbon removal capacity
MSU AgBioResearch scientist David MacFarlane has been working to measure the amount of carbon in trees, hoping to learn the capacity of these natural resources to combat climate change. READ
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Understanding insect response to popular insecticide in effort to develop new compounds
MSU entomologist Ke Dong has been studying various aspects of the one class of insecticides approved for use on mosquito bed nets — pyrethroids.
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Molecular-level mapping shows how cells repair damaged DNA, safeguard genetic information
MSU AgBioResearch immunologist and molecular geneticist Katheryn Meek has been studying DNA repair for just over three decades.
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The same for less: Genetic science holds the key to better feed efficiency in dairy cattle
Michael VandeHaar, MSU AgBioResearch livestock nutritionist, and his colleagues are working to bring the cost of livestock feed down by combining genomics and nutrition science to breed cows that require less food to produce the same volume of milk.
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Reduce, reuse, remediate: Helping nurseries get the most out of their water
A team of researchers from MSU AgBioResearch is working to address both the environmental and financial concerns by developing a system to purify and recycle water and fertilizers.
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Program teaches mental health coping to at-risk junior high schoolers
Joanne Riebschleger, Michigan State University (MSU) School of Social Work associate professor, is working to make mental illnesses part of the community conversation.
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Providing tools to low-income teen moms to help prevent childhood obesity
Kami Silk, the associate dean of research for the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at MSU, is examining the relationship between obesity in infants and their mothers' access to information on appropriate feeding practices.
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