At the UNL Center for Plant Science Innovation (PSI), we recognize that Nebraska’s producers and the public face increasingly complex challenges, from the need for more climate-resilient crops to the demand for sustainable, healthy food systems. Our mission is to meet these challenges head-on by translating cutting-edge molecular research into tangible agricultural solutions. As UNL’s top-ranked research center for grant expenditures, we serve as the engine driving the innovations that will secure Nebraska’s agricultural future.
Impact and Innovation In the past year, PSI’s productivity reached new heights, with sponsored research expenditures reaching $8.4 million, a 5% increase that directly supports our "lab-to-field" mission. Our faculty are global leaders in "future-proofing" agriculture, developing technologies already in use on more than 50 million farmland acres.
Key Achievements in Addressing Regional & Global Needs:
- Strengthening Crop Resilience: We have engineered soybeans with broad-spectrum tolerance to cold, disease, and herbicides, providing farmers with more flexible and productive management tools.
- Advancing the Bioeconomy: Our researchers have transformed sorghum into a "vegetable oil factory," creating a new source for renewable diesel and aviation fuels without displacing traditional food crops.
- Improving Public Health: Through the $2 million NSF "FoodID" initiative, we are linking plant genetics directly to human nutrition, tailoring crops like sorghum to promote better gut health.
- Transformative Technology: With the appointment of Dr. Nathan Butler to lead our Plant Transformation Core Research Facility, we are accelerating the development of next-generation genome editing to create regenerative crops.
Strategic Vision As we move through 2026, our focus is on evolving into an even more dynamic and translational center. By deepening our engagement with industry partners and Nebraska’s agricultural producers, we are ensuring that fundamental discoveries in the lab work for the people of our state.
I invite you to explore our progress as we continue to innovate for the food, fuel, and economic security of Nebraska and the world.
Edgar B. Cahoon
Director
Center for Plant Science Innovation
