2026 SIVB Student Award and Postdoc Travel Grant Winners

2026 WILTON R. EARLE AWARD AND 2026 STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD

Improving Wheat’s Resilience to Abiotic Stress via Genetic Engineering

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple food in many countries. Abiotic stresses like drought, heat, and cold can impact plant development and growth, decreasing yield and food availability. Climate resilience of crops is important to help sustain crop production in extreme climate scenarios. To support growers and promote sustainable agriculture, we are characterizing a new trait for wheat. Here we are using a protein from tardigrades (Hypsibius exemplaris), the CAHS-D, responsible for protecting it to survive without water for long periods. The main goal of this project is to transfer the gene for this protein as a new trait into wheat and characterize it to increase resilience to drought, heat, and cold. The CAHS-D protein was reverse translated from the UNIPROT database and codon optimized for wheat expression, and this sequence was cloned behind the maize ubiquitin promoter. Wheat transformation was performed by biolistic transformation using immature embryo calli as the target tissue. The recovered plantlets were PCR-tested for GOI presence, and from the positive ones, seeds were planted for gene segregation until the T2 generation to select putative homozygous lines. Two transgenic seedling lines, along with the wild type, were tested in vitro for drought resilience using polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) as an osmotic stress source. Transgene wheat seedlings showed significantly better response compared to the wild type on all stress levels (0 MPa, -0.3 MPa, -0.5 MPa), including the control. They germinated 1-2 days faster, wildtype reduced 30X while transgenes reduced 2X in length under the highest stress level, 57X reduction was observed compared to 2X for the CAHS-D seedlings for biomass, respectively. Additionally, reflecting a similar result pattern for vigor index, coefficient of relative inhibition, and stress tolerance index based on biomass when under -0.5 MPa. These results highlight the potential of this protein in protecting plant cells from abiotic stresses, supporting the continuation of the bioassays at the greenhouse level.

Luiza Adami Monteiro de Castro, Kansas State University, 1712 Claflin Road, 4024 Throckmorton PSC, Manhattan, KS 66506. Abstract Presentation: P-2051

2026 SIVB STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Genome Editing to Enhance Seed Yield and Turf Characteristics in Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge)

Bahiagrass is a warm season C₄ perennial grass widely grown in southeastern United States as a forage crop and utility turf. However, its broader use as a turfgrass is limited due to sparse tillering, production of tall seed heads, and seed shattering prior to harvest, which collectively reduce the turf quality and seed yield. Hence, developing improved bahiagrass cultivars with reduced seed shattering and enhanced turf characteristics is essential for expanding its use as a low input turfgrass. This study aimed to develop bahiagrass lines carrying knockout mutations of candidate genes that may suppress tillering (PnD27) or promote shattering (PnqSH1) using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing strategy. A multiplex gene editing construct containing sgRNAs for both target genes, Cas9 nuclease, and nptII selectable marker was introduced into bahiagrass embryogenic callus cultures via biolistic transformation. A total of 38 transgenic plants were regenerated, and the presence of the editing construct was confirmed by PCR analysis. Capillary electrophoresis followed by sanger sequencing of cloned amplicons revealed successful mono-allelic and bi-allelic mutations in both target genes with an editing efficiency of 68.18% (PnqSH1) and 79.41% (PnD27). Preliminary evaluation of events with bi-allelic PnD27 mutations indicate improvement in tillering compared to wild type. Phenotypic evaluation for seed shattering is in progress. Overall, this study highlights CRISPR/Cas9-mediated multiplex genome editing for trait improvement and its potential for the genetic improvement of bahiagrass as a low-input turfgrass.

Raveendra Chandavarapu, University of Florida, 1676 McCarty Dr, McCarty Hall D, Agronomy Department, Room 3054, Gainesville, FL 32611. Abstract Presentation: P-2056

2026 SIVB STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated DFR Disruption Reveals Coordinated Changes in Flavonoid Flux and Development in Petunia × hybrida

Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) occupies a critical branch point in flavonoid metabolism, channeling dihydroflavonol substrates toward anthocyanin biosynthesis in competition with flavonol synthase (FLS). While DFR’s role in floral pigmentation is well established, the broader physiological and transcriptional consequences of its disruption remain poorly characterized, particularly in commercially important ornamental species. Here, we report the generation and comprehensive phenotyping of five independent CRISPR/Cas9-mediated dfr knockout alleles in the commercial Petunia hybrida cultivar ‘Carmine Velour’. The allelic series produced different degrees of loss of floral pigmentation that correlated with mutation severity and predicted protein truncation. Beyond pigmentation, dfr mutants exhibited unexpected reductions in floral dimensions (20–40%), leaf biomass (30–50%), and plastidial pigment content, with chlorophyll and carotenoid levels declining 35–60% in petals despite unchanged leaf anthocyanins. Stem anatomy remained unaffected, revealing organ-specific pleiotropic effects. Transcriptional profiling uncovered feedback reprogramming within the flavonoid pathway: upstream genes (CHSA, CHIA) were downregulated while the competing branch enzyme FLS was upregulated almost 2-fold, consistent with metabolic flux redirection toward flavonol biosynthesis. Strikingly, PORA, encoding a key chlorophyll biosynthetic enzyme, was severely suppressed by 60–75%, providing a mechanistic link between flavonoid disruption and tetrapyrrole metabolism. Correlation analyses revealed systemic coordination: floral anthocyanin content predicted leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid levels across genotypes. These findings reposition DFR as a metabolic node whose disruption propagates effects across pigment classes and organ types, with implications for precision trait engineering in floriculture.

Fangchen Liu, MREC, University of Florida, 2725 S Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703. Abstract Presentation: P-1006

2026 JOSEPH F. MORGAN AWARD 2026 CELLULAR TOXICOLOGY AWARD

Enhancing Disease Resistance and Post-harvest Storage Protection in Potato Through Host Defense Peptide Stacking

Enhancing crop resistance to microbial diseases is essential for improving agricultural productivity and preserving post-harvest crop quality. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are small, cationic molecules that play crucial roles in the innate immune response and exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. The expression of selected HDPs in crops offers a versatile approach for engineering durable disease resistance with minimal toxicity towards the host while reducing the risk of pathogen adaptation. In this study, five HDPs of plant origin—Shepherin 1, SM-985, BnPRP1, P4650, and Ib-AMP1Q—were evaluated for antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity, and their capacity to enhance disease resistance in Solanum tuberosum. Antimicrobial activity against major fungal and bacterial pathogens was assessed in vitro using single peptides and peptide combinations, whereas cytotoxicity was evaluated in potato protoplasts and mammalian cells. HDP coding sequences were introduced into potato through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and verified by PCR, qPCR, and RT-qPCR. Ectopic peptide accumulation was confirmed by western blot analysis. Transgenic lines were challenged with different fungal pathogens to assess in planta resistance, and top-performing lines were transferred to greenhouse to generate tubers for resistance bioassays against storage diseases. Several peptides inhibited pathogen growth when used individually, while three-peptide combinations completely suppressed fungal growth at 20–50 µM and bacterial growth at 2.5 µM, with synergistic reductions in inhibitory concentrations of up to 83%. Cytotoxicity was minimal. Lines expressing two or more HDPs displayed markedly enhanced resistance, surviving 3–4.5 times longer than controls following the initial infection. Long-term tuber storage infection trials are currently in progress to further assess the post-harvest durability and resistance of transgenic tubers.

Nick Schimpf, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K3M4, Canada. Abstract Presentation: P-2010

2026 GORDON SATO AND WALLY MCKEEHAN AWARD and the HONOR B. FELL AWARD

Tumorigenic Potential of Emergent PFAS

A key characteristic of tumor cells is their lack of intercellular communication with surrounding cells through gap junction channels. Gap junctions are small porous protein structures in the cell membrane that allow the intercellular passage of small cell signaling molecules (? 1 kDa) between cells that co-regulate signal transduction pathways controlling gene expression in developing tissues. Although there are numerous signal transduction pathways that can lead to cancer phenotypes, all these pathways require the dysregulation of gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Thus, assessing GJIC in response to environmental toxicants is an excellent first step to evaluate the potential of tumorigenicity. We focused on determining the effects of emergent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), GenX and perfluorohexane carboxylic acid (PFHxC) and sulfonic acid (PFHxS) on GJIC. PFAS, “forever chemicals”, pose significant adverse health effects around the globe. GJIC was assessed using the scalpel load-dye transfer assay. GenX and PFHxC did not dysregulate GJIC, whereas PFHxS dysregulated GJIC at slightly lower doses than the legacy PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), but similar time responses to PFOA. Also, like PFOA, PFHxS inhibited GJIC through a protein kinase A mechanism. These structure-activity relevant data will contribute to a better toxicological understanding of emergent PFAS relative to cancer. Work supported by OSU NSF-FMSG 2328215/SPC#1000012240 Biomanufacturing TU Subaward, UC DOE-DE-FE009/013247-00002 Bioenergy, OSU DOE DE- EE0010300/SPC # 1000012016 TU Subaward, TU-CAENS-Evans-Allen-GWCAES Grant No. ALX-FVC18, and iBREED Program.

Landen Taber, Michigan State University, 3891 Norway Pine Dr., DeWitt, MI 48820. Abstract Presentation: A-1002

2026 MARIETTA WHEATON SAUNDERS AWARD

Disruption of the Host Susceptibility Gene eIF4E via CRISPR-Cas9 to Improve Resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus and Triticum Mosaic Virus

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) significantly threaten wheat production in the Great Plains, where current resistant varieties and cultural practices offer limited protection. Novel approaches like gene editing are necessary to develop long-term solutions. This study seeks to enhance wheat resistance to WSMV and TriMV by editing the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) gene, which plays a key role in viral replication. Immature embryos of the ‘Bobwhite’ wheat variety were co-transformed with a CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNA vector targeting eIF4E and the pAHC20 vector for glufosinate selection. Regenerated plants were screened for transformation using PCR to detect Cas9 and bar genes. The eIF4E target region was amplified, cloned into a TA vector, and sequenced to identify mutations. Five independent edited events were identified, including premature stop codons and in-frame deletions that resulted in truncated proteins or amino acid alterations downstream of the target site. A Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) assay was developed to efficiently distinguish edited from non-edited plants and to facilitate mutation screening across generations. Edited alleles were confirmed in T1 plants, which were subsequently advanced until segregation was complete, enabling the recovery of stable, transgene-free edited lines. Future T2 plants will undergo mechanical inoculation with WSMV and TriMV, and ELISA will confirm viral resistance. Advancing to T4 generations will enable the evaluation of resistance stability and agronomic performance. This gene editing approach holds promise for developing wheat cultivars with durable resistance to mosaic viruses, offering an effective and sustainable solution to mitigate wheat mosaic complex diseases in the Great Plains.

Giovanna Teixeira Sandoval Moreira, Kansas State University, Department of Plant Pathology, Manhattan, KS 66506. Abstract Presentation: P-2060

THE BARBARA M REED TRAVEL GRANT

How Do Developmental Regulators Orchestrate Transcriptional Reprogramming During Somatic Embryogenesis in Sorghum?

Efficient transformation and regeneration are critical for crop improvement and functional genomics. Fortunately, recent breakthroughs in the utilization of developmental regulator (DR) genes have helped overcome the recalcitrant nature of many monocot species including sorghum to genetic transformation. However, the underlying transcriptional regulation governing DR-induced somatic embryogenesis and regeneration competence remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with DR-mediated enhancement of transformation in multiple sorghum types (grain, forage and bioenergy) previously difficult-to-transform. By employing DR genes such as BABY BOOM, WUSCHEL and GIF-GRF, we established robust Agrobacterium-mediated transformation systems using multiple explant types (leaf and immature embryo) and expanded transformability to genotypes not previously amenable to regeneration. Integration of a visual reporter RUBY enabled rapid and efficient identification of transformed tissues. To dissect the regulatory pathways driving embryogenic reprogramming, we performed transcriptome profiling during early stages of somatic embryogenesis. Our analyses reveal key transcriptional networks and novel candidate regulators associated with cellular reprogramming, differentiation, and somatic embryogenesis capacity, including genotype-specific responses to DR expression. Collectively, this work not only provides practical advances in transformation methodology but most importantly provides fundamental insights into the transcriptional regulation underlying DR-mediated regeneration, offering a framework for discovering novel targets and mechanism for improving transformation efficiency in other recalcitrant monocot species. 

FNU Pallavi, IGCAST, Texas Tech University, 1006 Canton Avenue, #3135, Lubbock, TX 79409. Abstract Presentation: P-2053

THE BARBARA M REED TRAVEL GRANT

Optimization of CRISPR sgRNA Length Enhances Base Editing Efficiency in Plants

The Cas9-D10A nickase has been applied to engineer base editors (BEs) to induce base modifications using two main systems: adenine base editors (ABE) and cytosine base editors (CBE). The nCas9 is fused to a cytidine or adenine deaminase enzyme to catalyze the deamination of the target base (C-to-T and A-to-G conversions, respectively). However, several aspects might affect genome editing efficiency, such as the type of deaminase, the linkers used between the deaminase and the nCas9, and the chosen sgRNA. Here, we hypothesize that the length of the sgRNA can also affect genome editing outcomes in plants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate if base editing efficiency could be improved by altering the length of protospacers, using the CRISPR/nCas9-ABE8e and -CBE (A3A-130F) systems in mono- and dicotyledonous plants. Protospacer sequences of 16nt, 18nt, 20nt, 22nt, 26nt, 30nt, 34nt, 38nt, 42nt, and 48nt were designed to target two OsPDS target sites in rice protoplast. The most efficient protospacer sizes were used to revert a broken RUBY to a functional one in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves with co-agroinfiltration of a CRISPR/nCas9-ABE8e repair editor. Subsequently, rice stable transformation was performed with both CRISPR/Cas9n-ABE and -CBE editors, using optimized sgRNA lengths, targeting the genes OsDEP1, OsACC and OSALS. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of protoplast samples indicated that protospacers of 16nt, 18nt, 20nt, 22nt, and 24nt induced the highest genome editing efficiencies. Overall, this study provides an important foundation for enhancing CRISPR sgRNA design and provides a basis for optimizing CRISPR base-editing strategies to advance plant genome engineering for agricultural applications.

Nayara Freitas-Alves, University of Maryland – College Park, 4291 Fieldhouse Dr, College Park, MD 20742. Abstract Presentation: P-2001