Can a plant remember a heat wave? Danforth Center principal investigator Ru Zhang is studying how photosynthetic cells retain "heat stress memory" to help breed more heat-resilient crops. 🌿

St. Louis has spent 25 years building an ecosystem where world-class science stays and grows. Here's how. 🔬 @stlmag.bsky.social

Nebraska farmers are weighing a shift away from corn — and sorghum may be one of the smartest alternatives. Danforth Center scientist Andrea Eveland explains why this drought- and heat-resilient crop requires fewer inputs and is built for what's ahead.

Real-time crop stress monitoring. Soil sensors. Field environment data. The PheNode system is helping farmers adapt to a changing world — and Dr. Nadia Shakoor broke it all down for John Fuller on FOX 2: www.danforthcenter.org/news/agricul... #PrecisionAgriculture #FoodSecurity

New research! Danforth Center PI Erin Sparks & Bayer used the SMURF device to show that shorter corn plants have more flexible roots — helping them take wind damage at less than half the rate of conventional corn. Watch the SMURF in action 👇

This month's On the Vine is here! If you don't already know, our monthly e-newsletter is the easiest way to follow along with all that's going on at the Center. 📨 Check out our latest issue and be sure to sign up today: https://conta.cc/3RczVRv #ScienceNews #PlantScience

From our FY26 New Investigators: Leading two sorghum projects, Nadia Shakoor will generate deep-soil DNA maps and a time-resolved activity dataset. @danforthcenter.bsky.social Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Agtech startup Agrela Ecosystems just closed a $500K funding round and is scaling its PheNode® sensor platform nationally. It's now being used for everything from research to specialty crops to transportation infrastructure, and it started here in St. Louis: www.danforthcenter.org/news/agrela-...

Sabita Gyawali is our May Committee for Scientific Training and Mentoring Member of the Month! She studies plant-microbe interactions in the Bravo Lab and aims to eventually grow into a lead independent research role working on sustainable agriculture.

Congratulations to Dr. Ashley Snouffer, the new Director of our Plant Transformation Facility! From cassava regeneration breakthroughs to pioneering work with emerging tools, her research is helping unlock the future of crop improvement.

It's #EarthDay every day at the Danforth Center, where our scientists are advancing resilient crops and sustainable farming systems.

Here's some new research worth celebrating this #EarthDay: Dr. Nadia Shakoor's lab shows how regenerative farming practices paired with drone and field data can help sorghum growers build healthier soils without sacrificing profitability. Read more: www.danforthcenter.org/news/regener...

Meet our Committee for Scientific Training and Mentoring Member of the Month! Elisa is a scientific research contract and technology specialist who works to protect scientific breakthroughs via patents and legal agreements. She's a scientist, legal translator, and problem-solver. Congrats, Elisa!

Dr. Giles Oldroyd sat down with @kgrumke.bsky.social on @stlpublicradio.bsky.social @stlonair.bsky.social to talk about the science that brought him here — and why he believes we're at a turning point for how the world feeds itself. Listen here: www.danforthcenter.org/news/st-loui...

Last night, Dr. Giles Oldroyd took the stage for his first public address as president of the Danforth Center, and he came with a vision for how plant science can save the world. Thanks to everyone who joined us—we hope you're feeling inspired. Learn more: https://campaign.danforthcenter.org/

Evaluating nitrogen uptake: Methods and applications for plant research A new #AppsPlantSci review by Pierce, @razda5.bsky.social, Huddell & @erinsparks.bsky.social bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... @danforthcenter.bsky.social #botany #plantscience #nitrogenfertilization #nanoSIMS

Nadia Shakoor, PhD, has been selected to receive the inaugural Innovation Award from the Academy of Science – St. Louis! Nadia is a principal investigator at the Danforth Center and the Chief Science Officer of Agrela Ecosystems, a St. Louis–based technology company. Congratulations, Nadia! 🎉

From lab bench to field—celebrating farmers and ag innovators who feed the world. Happy #NationalAgricultureDay #NationalAgDay

Meet our CSTM Member of the Month! Josh is a data scientist in our Data Science Facility, where his work focuses on supporting research projects and developing & maintaining the PlantCV and PCVR softwares. He's known for his fluency in the programming language R. Congrats, Josh! 🎉

This Sunday is #WorldWaterDay! Plant science can develop crops that need less water and that protect our watersheds. Take cover crops: not only do they help prevent soil erosion, but they absorb runoff to keep our streams and rivers clean 🦦🫧🐟🪷🦆 https://youtu.be/Umz5UADY45A?si=6zB88Amf2ngamdrC

Dr. Ru Zhang is leading a DOE grant to study sorghum photosynthesis. The implications could also shed light ☀️ on other crops—like maize, rice, & more: https://www.danforthcenter.org/news/danforth-center-scientist-leads-new-department-of-energy-grant-to-unlock-the-secrets-of-sorghum-photosynthesis/

Danforth Center scientists are co-authors on a landmark study published today in @nature.com: the 1st comprehensive sorghum pangenome. Breeding better sorghum has been limited by an incomplete picture of its genetic diversity—until now. https://www.danforthcenter.org/news/global-sorghum-pangenome/

901 curious minds showed up for PlantTech Jam 2026 to connect with Danforth Center scientists. Thanks to you, we had a blast! See the highlights and photos from the day: https://www.danforthcenter.org/news/planttechjam/

President @gilesoldroyd.bsky.social is energized by the power of plant science—and by the strength of the #STL community rising to meet the moment. Don't miss the interview in @stlmag.bsky.social: https://www.danforthcenter.org/news/st-louis-magazine-st-louis-business-500-qa-with-giles-oldroyd/

The fruit fly of plant science for #3DThursday! 🌱 #ModelOrganism 🔬: #microCT, Zeiss @zeiss-microscopy.bsky.social Versa 520 XRM (contrast-enhanced with OsO₄) 🌱: Arabidopsis thaliana 🥼: Keith Duncan @cygnusplantxray.bsky.social 🏛️: Danforth Center @danforthcenter.bsky.social 🎬: syGlass.io #syGlass

Talk about multitasking. Sentinel plants developed at @danforthcenter.bsky.social may one day not only grow our food, but also act as living biosensors to report on the conditions of their own fields. 🌱🌱🌱

Danforth Center Scientist Antonio Brazelton's research on heirloom collard greens at JJK FAN is blending community, culture, & science in powerful ways. 🥬 Watch to see how: https://www.danforthcenter.org/news/hec-media-cultivating-a-better-collard-green/ #plantscience #collardgreens #urbanfarming

🚨LAST CALL FOR APPLICATIONS! In our Summer Undergraduate Research Program, you'll work alongside world-class plant scientists & learn about the broader impact of scientific discovery. Apply by 3/2: https://www.danforthcenter.org/our-work/education-outreach/undergraduate-program/internship-program/

Our Plant Growth Facility team has transformed the way we manage pests by deploying beneficial predator insects as a natural line of defense. Read our blog to see how these tiny teammates work: https://www.danforthcenter.org/news/integrated-pest-management-growing-greener-with-beneficial-bugs/

To every girl who's curious about how plants feed the world—you belong in science. 💡🌱 Happy #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience

Regenerative ag took center stage at @biostl.bsky.social's Global AgriFood Innovation Summit. @gilesoldroyd.bsky.social sees great opportunity to use advances in crop genetics, AI, & new tech to boost productivity & profitability within regen farming systems. Read more in @stlmag.bsky.social:

President Giles Oldroyd welcomed attendees of the @biostl.bsky.social Global AgriFood Innovation Summit and shared thoughts about the opportunities to use research & development to make regenerative agriculture profitable. #regenag #sustainability #agtech #foodsecurity

We were proud to host #agtech innovators and leaders from across the globe who are here for the @biostl.bsky.social Global AgriFood innovation Summit. 🎥 Tune in to see what makes St. Louis a powerful hub for global collaboration and innovation in agtech: fox2now.com/news/missour...

The vitality of the #STL #agtech innovation community is on display this week as we welcome a delegation of 20 global leaders for the ARISE (AgriTech for Resilience, Innovation & Sustainable Ecosystems) initiative. Learn more: https://www.stlmag.com/business/arise-agtech-delegation-visits-st-louis/

🔥 Spearhead Bio is a startup to watch! Their breakthrough genome editing technology, developed through Danforth Center research, supports the development of resilient crops & more secure harvests. https://www.danforthcenter.org/news/st-louis-business-journal-spearhead-bio-named-startup-to-watch/

This #BlackHistoryMonth, the Danforth Center is celebrating Black scientists and innovators whose work moves plant science—and opportunity—forward. Learn more about our scientists: https://www.danforthcenter.org/our-work/principal-investigators/

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is seeking an Information Technology Security Manager to join our team! Apply here: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/0386834D209CD1EA462A147F53A126FF/jobs/333718

🎉 Congratulations to @kmurphyphd.bsky.social, Principal Investigator and Director of the Phenotyping Core Facility at the Danforth Center—she has been selected to receive the Science Educator Award from the Academy of Science – St. Louis! Read more: www.danforthcenter.org/news/danfort...

Our President, @gilesoldroyd.bsky.social is stepping up to the mic with @sarahfenske.bsky.social, where he shares what drew him to move to #STL and join the Danforth Center—and why he believes this region is uniquely positioned to make a global impact. 🎧 Tune in: www.stlmag.com/podcasts/314...

Meet Getu Beyene Duguma, PhD, Member and Principal Investigator at the Danforth Center. Getu’s research is making a positive impact on some of the same food security crops he grew up farming in Ethiopia. https://www.danforthcenter.org/our-work/principal-investigators/getu-beyene-duguma/

We are honored to welcome Dr. Cary Fowler as the Danforth Center’s newest Board Director. Dr. Fowler is President of the Food Security Leadership Council and the 2024 World Food Prize Laureate. His expertise and leadership make him an invaluable addition to our board. https://loom.ly/7bd4GiY

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Danforth Center honors service to others—and recommits to science in service of all people.

Nigel Taylor, PhD, helped lay the groundwork for modern research on cassava and works with partners in Rwanda and Kenya to develop more resilient and nutritious cassava. Meet Nigel and learn more about his work: https://www.danforthcenter.org/our-work/principal-investigators/nigel-taylor/

Gratuitous X-ray microscopy imaging, a "bouquet" of developing soybean flowers. @zeiss-microscopy.bsky.social @danforthcenter.bsky.social

In an international effort funded by the Gates Foundation, Nigel Taylor, PhD, & the Danforth Center are partnering on the new Rwanda Capacity Building (BioCap) Project, led by @cipotato.org, to establish a Rwandan Centre of Excellence for Crop Biotechnology & advance food security. loom.ly/4KW17iM

Principal Investigator Dmitri A. Nusinow, PhD, and his lab study the circadian clock, aiming to learn more about how light and temperature shape plant growth and development. Learn more about his work on our website: loom.ly/ifAg5cI

Big shoutout to Nadia Shakoor @nadiashakoor.bsky.social — featured in St. Louis Magazine’s Movers & Shapers! 👏 From plant genetics to leading Agrela Ecosystems & building real-time crop sensing tech — Nadia is advancing sustainable agtech and food security. 🌱 lnkd.in/g_5UHk2W #StLouis #Innovation

Plants that turn purple to warn us about unwanted chemicals: Danforth Center scientists @meter76.bsky.social & @maliagehan.bsky.social led a team that enabled grasses—including corn—to act as living biosensors that change color when they detect specific chemicals. Learn more: loom.ly/D1B_eYY

To all who donated to the Danforth Center in 2025, thank you. 💚 We deeply appreciate your decision to show your support, invest in the work we do, and be part of our mission. Thank you again, and happy New Year! #Gratitude #STLNonprofit

Here’s to discovery, community, and impact—Happy New Year from the Danforth Center! 🌱