2015 ANNUAL REPORT

2014 ANNUAL REPORT 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T

4 FROM THE DIRECTOR

5 2015 NEWS IN REVIEW

6 FOOD AND HEALTH Understanding insect response to popular insecticide in effort to develop new compounds...... 6 Collaboration looks at role diet might play in women’s blood pressure from pregnancy to later life...... 8 Molecular-level mapping shows how cells repair damaged DNA, safeguard genetic information...... 10 Program teaches mental health coping to at-risk junior high schoolers...... 12

14 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Investigating algae’s full potential as an efficient renewable energy source...... 14 Inventorying U.S. forests to determine complete carbon removal capacity...... 16 Curtailing environmental harm through efforts in conservation criminology...... 18 Developing alternative approach to assess stream health, use data more efficiently... 20

22 SECURE FOOD AND FIBER SYSTEMS Studying signaling and gene regulation in bacteria...... 22 Examining internal and external factors affecting pathogenic loads and ‘supershedders’...... 24 Defining enzyme structure a step in the right direction to better understanding bacteria function...... 26 A fresher vegetable: Re-evaluating how food is stored...... 28

2015 ANNUAL REPORT TEAM: 30 ENHANCING PROFITABILITY Adapting human medical technology to predict plant diseases...... 30 Market research reveals why consumers are drawn to wineries in Michigan...... 32 MANAGING EDITOR: The same for less: genetic science holds the key to better feed efficiency Holly Whetstone, Senior Communications Manager in dairy cattle...... 34 WRITERS: Reduce, reuse, remediate: Helping nurseries get the most out of their water...... 36 Cameron Rudolph, Communications Manager James Dau, Communications Coordinator

COPY EDITING: 38 FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY The air we breathe: Studying the impact of air pollution in rural environments...... 38 Leslie Johnson, ANR Communications Providing tools to low-income teen moms to help prevent childhood obesity...... 40

COVER ILLUSTRATION: Studying monetary incentive programs and their impact on social norms...... 42 Andrew Ward, New Media Graphics, Burton, Mich. Loosening the belt: Fighting influenza with higher calorie diets...... 44 DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: BCP, E. Lansing, MI – Owen Neils, Art Director 46 AGBIORESEARCH CENTERS PRINTING: Printwell Printing, Taylor, MI 50 FINANCIAL REPORT

51 AFFILIATED COLLEGES AND DEPARTMENTS

MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE: As we interviewed the scientists involved in the research projects presented in this report, they provided us with lengthy lists of colleagues, students, organizations and funders integral to their efforts. Including all of this information would easily double the length of the report, so we opted to limit project narratives to key research elements and the importance of the work in its respective field. We do, however, want to convey the interviewees’ acknowledgments of the individuals and organizations with which they collaborate and their gratitude for the support they receive in doing their work. 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 31 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR MSU AgBioResearch - 2015 NEWS IN REVIEW

This past year marks another impressive slate of Michigan State University (MSU) Entomological Society of America fellow named James Kirkpatrick, dean of the College of Natural Science. For pioneering work in establishing the field of geochemical kinetics and research advancements in the areas of food, energy and the environment. A small James Miller, Michigan State University (MSU) entomology professor, applying nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to understand sample of the work led by MSU AgBioResearch scientists is featured in this report. In was elected a 2016 Fellow of the Entomological Society of America atomic environments in minerals, melts and cements. 2015, these researchers alone secured more than $90 million in grant funding from for his pioneering research in insect physiology, chemical ecology and behavior that has significantly enhanced insect detection and Richard Neubig, chairperson of pharmacology and toxicology. external agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Bill and Melinda management. For pioneering work on the quantitative analysis of receptor Gates Foundation, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National mechanisms, particularly concerning regulators of G protein Among his research signaling, molecular switches within cells, and for insightful Science Foundation, with impacts spanning from Michigan to around the globe. accomplishments, Miller leadership in the pharmacological sciences. As director of MSU AgBioResearch and MSU assistant vice president for research and helped pioneer the field of chemical ecology; established Phillip Robertson, director of MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station Long- graduate studies (the latter is a new post effective October 2015), it is my privilege the wind tunnel as the term Ecological Research Program. For distinguished contributions to help meet the university’s research goals and objectives. I’ve been working with standard for studying how in ecosystem science and production agriculture with emphasis on Stephen Hsu, vice president for research and graduate studies, to ensure that MSU insects orient themselves; nitrogen cycling, greenhouse gas production and environmental assessment of biofuel cropping systems. AgBioResearch leverages its external funding to its fullest and works to integrate the originated the rolling-fulcrum James Miller (left), with Jeffrey Schenker, associate professor of math. university’s priorities. It’s also exciting to be involved with MSU’s new Global Impact model of animal decision making and the push-pull tactic of pest management. These findings Initiative, aimed at adding more than 100 new faculty members to enhance research MSU receives two USAID grants have expanded knowledge of what constitutes suitable habitats for Michigan State University (MSU) will use two grants, awarded by endeavors around energy, health, education, the environment, national security and African mosquitoes that spread malaria. the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and totaling global development. Miller also led a team in discovering that avermectins, medicine used more than $18 million, to support two African nations as they fight The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) is strengthening to treat parasitic worms, administered to African cattle just before hunger and take charge of their own food security future. the rainy season can suppress malaria epidemics. communication with U.S. Congressional members from Michigan. We connect These grants, part of the USAID-funded Feed The Future Innovation weekly with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, who serves on the Senate committees of Lab for Food Security Policy, a $70-million international project Douglas D. Buhler portfolio managed by MSU’s agricultural, food and resource Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Energy and Natural Resources, to inform her Interim dean named for CANR economics department, underscore MSU’s long history in helping Douglas Buhler, director of Michigan State University (MSU) and her office staff of ongoing research endeavors at MSU. And thanks to a special developing nations establish the policies and procedures necessary AgBioResearch and senior associate dean for research in invitation from U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, I had the honor of testifying before the House to drive their own food security efforts. The grants support USAID’s MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was named work under Feed the Future, Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research in 2015. We interim dean of CANR, effective Jan. 1, 2016. look forward to the opportunity to have additional MSU scientists addressing important the U.S. Government’s global Buhler also serves as assistant vice president for research and hunger and food security issues before Congress in the year ahead. graduate studies and director of MSU AgBioResearch, positions he initiative. will retain during his service as interim dean. The end of 2015 also marked the retirement of Fred Poston, CANR dean and longtime The first grant, $12.5 million, MSU leader. He has dedicated so much not only to the CANR, but to the entire university. He succeeds Fred Poston, who also has served as MSU’s vice will assist Nigeria to strengthen its own food security policies and president for finance and operations and special adviser to the I wish him well in his retirement and future endeavors. In the meantime, the CANR has subsequently improve nutrition outcomes. To that end, MSU — president. Poston retired Dec. 31, 2015. partnering with the International Food Policy Research Institute temporarily handed the leadership over to me once again. The search for a new dean is (IFPRI) — will help increase the nation’s capacity to generate and well under way, with an announcement expected in early 2016. analyze information and to develop evidence-based policy options. AAAS fellows announced Wishing you a wonderful 2016! The MSU/IFPRI team also will improve the policy process to ensure a In 2015, four Michigan State University scientists were named AAAS strong empirical evidence base and active dialogue at all levels. Fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of A second, $6 million grant, will be used to help another West African Science. This national recognition is awarded to researchers for their nation, Senegal, to increase its agricultural capacity. The MSU/ efforts to advance science or its applications. IFPRI team will work to increase public and private investments in Douglas D. Buhler MSU’s AAAS Fellows are: agriculture by helping the government strengthen its policies and MSU AgBioResearch Director Zachary Burton, biochemistry and molecular enhancing the country’s investment environment. biology professor. For seminal contributions Thomas Reardon, MSU AgBioResearch professor in the Department MSU Assistant Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies toward understanding the function and of Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics, is involved in the work evolution of RNA polymerases, enzymes in both countries. found in all organisms and viruses, and for distinguished contributions to teaching, mentoring and the scientific community. (Continued on page 45.) Zachary Burton

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(McMaster University, Canada), Dong’s lab to control resistant mosquitoes,” she said. of each chamber. About 90 percent of the Understanding made a major discovery: there are two receptor “Because it’s very expensive and time- flies ended up in the chamber without the sites, not just one, necessary to hold the consuming to develop new pesticides, there pyrethroid, indicating that the pyrethroid kept insect response sodium channel open. was substantial interest in using pyrethroids the flies out. Ultimately, the researchers want to popular Because of their low toxicity to humans and as spatial repellents — to just keep mosquitoes to determine which neurons respond to the mammals, pyrethroids have been extensively out of houses where people sleep.” pyrethroids and to be able to trace them back insecticide in used against insects, including agricultural Dong is now studying whether pyrethroid to a receptor. pests. However, the widespread use has efficacy is due to physical contact with the “Without any odor, these neurons are effort to develop resulted in pyrethroid resistance. To better compound, or if the insects are able to smell spontaneously firing but with low frequency,” understand this problem, Dong’s lab, in the insecticide. she said. “When certain compounds are puffed new compounds collaboration with various other groups, has “Mosquitoes have this behavior called excito- near the active receptor — this neuron just been looking into the genomes of mosquitoes, repellency, and we want to know if it’s spatial goes crazy.” cockroaches, cattle ticks, tobacco budworms, or if it’s contact,” she said. “We are working to By doing this, Dong and her team have bedbugs, varroa mites and fruit flies for the determine whether the insects make contact identified at least four olfactory receptors mutations that make insects and arachnids with the nets and leave, or if they get near in the fruit fly that respond to pyrethroids. resistant to pyrethroids. them, smell the compound and then leave.” Next they plan to remove the pyrethroid “It turns out that there are numerous Postdoc Peng Xu has conducted an receptor gene from the neuron and repeat the mutations on the sodium channel causing the experiment in which fruit flies were put under behavioral assay to determine if the insect can resistance,” Dong said. “Some mutations are the microscope with electrodes placed in front still smell. common among many species, and others are and in back of their antennae. Each antenna Graduate student Elizabeth Bandason eveloped in the Michigan State University (MSU) detected only in particular species. Discovery is covered with lots of hair, and at the base is also working to better understand the entomologist Ke Dong, who operates the of these mutations makes it possible to find 1980s, insecticide- of each hair are sensory neurons. The odor molecular basis of the repellency, this time MSU Insect Toxicology and Neurobiology solutions to monitor and to come up with new can diffuse onto the antenna and bind to the in mosquitoes. Her initial findings are very treated bed nets Laboratory, has been studying various aspects methods to manage pyrethroid resistance in olfactory receptors in the sensory neurons. similar to those the group has observed in D of the one class of insecticides approved for the field.” Dong and her team wanted to determine fruit flies. are estimated to be twice use on mosquito bed nets ­— pyrethroids. As part of an ongoing project, Dong plans which receptor/neuron was activated by the “Mosquitoes basically have a similar The work has been ongoing for the past two as effective as non-treated to work with chemists to help develop new chemical. phenomenon — there is a spatial repellency decades with continous funding from the compounds that can bind to the mutant In the study, various odors were puffed near going on,” she said. “Now we’re looking into nets in preventing malaria, National Institutes of Health (NIH). She channel. She said that this is challenging the insect antennae while the researchers mosquito olfactory receptors — that will be a deadly mosquito-borne wants to understand the mechanism by which because the receptor site was changed, as observed the neuron activity. Both the food electrophysiology, molecular work to figure these compounds control various insects, well as the structure of the sodium channel. odor and the pyrethroid caused activity, but out which olfactory receptor is responding disease that kills more than including malaria-carrying mosquitoes. They will need to ensure that the compound ABOVE: MSU postdoc Peng Xu conducted an there was none when air was puffed at the and knock them out to see what happens with structure can fit into the mutated sodium experiment in which he identified at least four 600,000 people in Africa This large class of synthetic insecticides insect. Dong said this signified for the first behavior and so on.” olfactory receptors in the fruit fly that respond channel. and around the world each is derived from pyrethrum, a compound time that the fruit fly could actually smell the Dong said there is much more work ahead of to pyrethroids — indicating for the first time Some of these insecticidal compounds also pyrethroid. that the insect could smell. The lab team, under extracted from dried chrysanthemum flowers. the team, but progress is being made. MSU year. Some studies have repel insects. Because of technical challenges, Ke Dong’s leadership, is already doing similar They work by binding to and forcing open the Next they released hungry fruit flies into a research assistant professor Yuzhe Du is tests in mosquitoes. Photo: Courtesy of Ke Dong shown a protection rate as voltage-gated sodium channel in the nervous however, little research has been done on how secure area with two chambers: one treated the co-principal investigator on this new system, causing overstimulation of the nervous pyrethroids repel insects such as mosquitoes. with a pyrethroid and the other without a NIH-funded project. MSU research specialist OPPOSITE: Ke Dong, MSU Department of high as 70 percent compared Entomology. Photo: MSU CABS system and eventually death of the mosquito. “Within the last couple of years, people really pyrethroid (the control). Apple cider vinegar Yoshiko Nomura has also put in considerable with no nets. In 2013, in collaboration with Boris Zhorov started paying attention to new chemistry (which flies like) was placed at the bottom effort on these projects.

“Because it’s very expensive and time- consuming to develop new pesticides, there was substantial interest in using pyrethroids as spatial repellents...” — Ke Dong 6 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 7 FOOD & HEALTH FOOD & HEALTH

“The diet questionnaire is very detailed “DASH has a lot of studies behind it,” high-quality diet might modify that risk Collaboration looks at role diet and asks about average servings of all types Fenton said. “This is in randomized clinical later in life.” controlled studies where they put those of food over the previous year,” Holzman Fenton said the researchers plan to look might play in women’s blood said. “It takes about 40 minutes to complete people on this diet and they show a similar more closely at the diet data to determine if and provides summary feedback so that reduction in blood pressure as effective as pressure from pregnancy to later life there is some component in the high-quality women can see what their diets look like. first-line therapy in stage 1 hypertension. diet that may be linked to lower blood Once we amassed all the diet data, I looked Diet along with lifestyle changes are the pressure. for research collaborators with expertise in first line of defense now for folks who have nutrition and health.” blood pressure of 129 and over.” “There are foods that are rich in bioactive tatistics show that one in every three American components that might be responsible for That’s when Fenton, who has a master’s The researchers used the POUCHmoms the results we’re seeing,” she said. adults —­ 70 million people — has high blood degree in public health in epidemiology and study data to examine diet quality pressure. And costs of treatment, including a Ph.D. in nutrition, entered the picture. measured by both the healthy eating index Holzman added it’s been known for a while S She and Holzman met while discussing the and the DASH diet index. They found that women diagnosed with hypertension healthcare services, medications and missed days of work, development of a public health nutrition that women with the lowest quality diets in pregnancy are more likely to develop are estimated at some $46 billion each year. concentration in the nutritional sciences had higher blood pressure, on average, at hypertension later. But when you exclude curriculum revision and discovered follow-up. Also, among women who had this group, the women in the bottom Two Michigan State University (MSU) researchers have they had common research interests. moderately elevated blood pressure during quartile of diet quality were the only other the POUCH study pregnancy, those with a teamed up to take a closer look at how diet may affect the Holzman turned to Fenton because of her group at increased risk of developing background in nutrition and epidemiology low-quality diet at follow-up (seven to 15 hypertension. years after pregnancy) were more likely to likelihood of developing high blood pressure — also known as and asked about ideas on how to further “So if you think of exercise, you don’t have be prehypertensive or hypertensive. use the diet data from the POUCHmoms to be a high-performance athlete to get hypertension — later in life. follow-up study. “Previously, moderately elevated blood some benefit,” she said. “It may be a similar pressure in pregnancy had been ignored,” Claudia Holzman, professor and chair 3,000 pregnant women from 52 clinics in Fenton suggested that they compare the principle with food. You benefit from eating Holzman said. “We are finding it may of the MSU Department of Epidemiology five Michigan communities: Flint, Grand healthy eating index and the DASH (Dietary a moderately well-balanced diet rich in identify a group of woman at increased and Biostatistics, and Jenifer Fenton, Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo and Saginaw. Approaches to Stopping Hypertension) diet fruits, vegetables and fiber like the DASH risk of hypertension later in life, and poor- associate professor in the MSU Department It spanned from 1998 to 2004 and assessed patterns of eating to examine associations and healthy eating index.” between diet and both prehypertension quality diet could be part of this story.” of Food Science and Human Nutrition, maternal health, including blood pressure, Holzman noted that the study does take and hypertension in the POUCHmoms “We think this study is unique,” she said. are collaborating on the project with in relationship to adverse outcomes such as into account other relevant factors such participants. Though many studies have “We’re looking at middle-aged women – Janet Catov, associate professor from the preterm delivery and low birthweight. as race/ethnicity, maternal age, education looked at hypertensive individuals, few more often these studies are done with TOP: Two MSU researchers are collaborating University of Pittsburgh. level, socioeconomic status and smoking. In the follow-up study (POUCHmoms 2011- have focused on those with moderately men. In addition, the participants are all to determine how diet may impact a woman’s The researchers are eager to submit their likelihood of developing high blood pressure The trio is using data collected from a 2014), investigators invited back a subset elevated blood pressure. The diet plan called from Michigan and have been followed findings for peer review and publication. later in life. Photo: Thinkstock cohort of women followed over time, first of the original cohort to reassess their DASH is often used for people diagnosed over a long period of time, beginning in during pregnancy and then seven to 15 years cardiovascular health and, for the first time, ABOVE: Claudia Holzman, professor and chair with hypertension. It is supported by the pregnancy. We are among a growing group of the MSU Department of Epidemiology and later, in a series of studies funded by the their eating habits. The women in the study National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of investigators who view pregnancy as an Biostatistics. National Institutes of Health. The initial completed an extensive survey about their and has been shown to reduce blood important window because it offers clues

OPPOSITE: Jenifer Fenton, MSU Department of Pregnancy Outcomes and Community food consumption called the Block food pressure in clinical settings, with results to a woman’s risk of future health problems Food Science and Human Nutrition. Health (POUCH) study enrolled more than frequency questionnaire. similar to those from medication. such as hypertension. Our data suggest a

Though many studies have looked at hypertensive individuals, few have focused on those with moderately elevated blood pressure.

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because it recognizes broken DNA ends and this gene shuffling process,” Meek said. cancerous or normal — in a large animal. Molecular-level mapping shows then targets other NHEJ factors to the site of “There is a whole set of protein factors that These studies have previously been primarily how cells repair damaged DNA, damage. Emerging data implicate DNA-PK help carefully guide those DNA breaks limited to mouse models; having a large as a central regulator of DNA end access. exactly into the pathway they’re supposed animal model opens up really incredible safeguard genetic information Meek said ongoing studies are looking at to go. If that pathway is not available, then possibilities.” how DNA-PK regulates DNA end access to the cell should just die; but sometimes In addition to medical advancements, Meek promote end joining with minimal sequence these misrepaired DNA breaks can result said DNA repair is also an integral part of information loss. in a cell being changed from a normal cell ell division takes place “DNA is the blueprint for all living organisms; agricultural biotechnology. In this process, into a cancer cell. We know that there is thus all organisms have evolved numerous Additionally, Meek said, it is becoming scientists select for gene variance to achieve in the human body a mechanism to prevent this, but we don’t mechanisms to ensure maintenance of an apparent that DNA-PK may affect other desired traits, such as increased yield or exact copy of their genomes for propagation,” understand really how it works. Now I have a several million times repair pathways, potentially by limiting improved food quality. C she said. “Given its importance to life, it is hint of how that works.” access of DNA ends to repair factors. This per day. With each split, DNA “Being able to manipulate the DNA and really somewhat surprising that evolution has may have particularly important side effects Meek has written a paper based on the understand how DNA repair works helps molecules — because of their allowed DNA to be so sensitive to various in species that express very high levels of study findings and has submitted it for scientists more efficiently manipulate the inherent instability — are forms of damage, including oxidation, DNA-PK, and may explain the remarkable publication. She said the work may help genomes of organisms they’re interested in — hydrolysis and methylation.” variation between species when the gene to better understand the mechanism that highly susceptible to damage, for instance, making more sustainable crops,” Meek explained that an entire host of encoding this enzyme is mutated. promotes immune system development. she said. “There are many, many laboratories which can lead to genetic molecular systems are continuously Meek is particularly excited about her recent Because the system relies on DNA repair in trying to manipulate genomes to make better monitoring and repairing DNA at any given discovery regarding T and B lymphocytes, the the gene shuffling process that allows people mutations. Add in external beef. The things I do in my lab make it easier time, and that the pathways used to make cellular components of adaptive immunity. and animals to become immune to invading for those things to happen.” factors such as UV radiation these fixes are essentially the same in plants, During development of these cells, a gene pathogens, animals and people that have and carcinogenic substances, animals and humans. shuffling mechanism is utilized that allows genetic defects in this DNA repair pathway Meek said that understanding how DNA the cells to make cell surface receptors have no immune system. They have a genetic repair works is the first step in being able to Her laboratory studies how DNA double and the odds of DNA damage and serum molecules (antibodies) that disease called SCID (severe combined genetically manipulate organisms, whether strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired. She said recognize invading pathogens. However, immune deficiency), or the “bubble boy the efforts are to find ways to fight cancer or increase even further. DNA breaks, whether single-stranded or this gene shuffling mechanism requires the disease.” to produce higher quality foods with fewer double-stranded, can lead to unfortunate MSU AgBioResearch introduction of DNA double strand breaks environmental impacts. outcomes, such as cancer. “In the past, my lab has defined the genetic and is inherently dangerous for the cell immunologist and molecular mutations that cause this type of immune- The importance of studying DNA repair “Thus, the maintenance of genome integrity and the organism. Thus, lymphocytes are deficiency disease in dogs and horses,” she was recently supported by one of the most geneticist Katheryn Meek is essential not only for organism survival but particularly susceptible to translocations and said. “These were useful findings because prestigious scientific awards of its kind. The also for the inheritance of traits by offspring,” mutations that cause cancer. She recently ABOVE: Katheryn Meek, MSU Department has been studying DNA repair they helped us better understand the biology 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded she said. completed an experiment that lends insight of Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation. for just over three decades. of how this pathway works. But now, other to Thomas Lindahl, Paul Modrich and Aziz into the mechanism of how lymphocytes There are two major pathways — non- groups have discovered or genetically Sancar — three scientists who all examine OPPOSITE: DNA, the blueprint for all living This type of basic research has prevent these genetic mutations by using organisms, is highly sensitive to damage. An homologous end joining (NHEJ) and engineered similar mutations in pigs. Since how cells repair DNA base damage and protein factors to help guide how these MSU researcher, who has been studying DNA implications in areas ranging homologous recombination (HR) — that these animals are completely immune- safeguard genetic information. repair for more than 30 years, has made a repair DSBs in all organisms. Meek focuses intentional DNA breaks are repaired. deficient, it is possible to implant human discovery in her lab that may help understand from human medicine to the mechanism that promotes immune system on a large enzyme called the DNA dependent “B cell and T cell leukemia is pretty common cells into them. This may allow researchers development. Photo: Thinkstock agriculture and biotechnology. protein kinase (DNA-PK). It initiates NHEJ because lymphocytes make mistakes during to directly study human cells — either

Meek is particularly excited about her recent discovery regarding T and B lymphocytes, the cellular components of adaptive immunity.

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To that end, Riebschleger has developed to listening to music, and from going outside Co-investigators on the YES project are Esther Program teaches Youth Education and Support (YES), a to helping others, which was identified Onaga, professor emeritus from the MSU mental health 10-session mental health literacy program as “pushing grandma’s wheelchair” in one Department of Human Development and coping to for seventh and eighth graders at Waverly particular case. Family Studies, and Betty Tableman, specialist Community Schools in Lansing. Participants Reports show that the majority of people emeritus from MSU Outreach. Waverly at-risk junior have parents or other family members with with mental illness — whether children or Middle School social worker Kristin Hood co- mental illness, substance abuse or co- adults — do not get the help they need, she facilitates the YES program and collects pre-, high schoolers occurring disorders, such as mental illness said. The program strives to better equip post- and follow-up evaluation data. and substance abuse. The hourlong sessions these children, who are at higher risk than Eventually Riebschleger would like to are lively and fun, and feature videos, games, those without parents or family members conduct a control group/comparison group crafts and lots of discussion. with mental issues, to get the assistance they study in mental health literacy. She is also “We talk a lot about how everyone is feeling,” may need down the road. working to secure grant funding to create a she said. “Many of these kids think it’s their “Some of what we tell them is that, even if you website geared at helping this same group of ccording to the World Health Organization, mental fault — that somehow they triggered their get this illness, you’re not doomed for life,” she youth. parents’ behavior. We teach them that this said. “Everyone has their own dragon to fight Recently she joined a new international health illness is the No. 1 disability in the world. In the is a health condition and not an outcome of — we all have struggles. We want to help grass-roots group of researchers who are United States alone, it is estimated that one in every five anyone doing wrong. It’s nobody’s fault.” A make it more manageable in the event that it reviewing worldwide literature to determine adults experiences some type of mental disorder in any given year. The overarching purpose of the program, does happen.” what types of knowledge are needed by now in its fourth year, is to prevent or The program, which has a 90 percent children with a parent with substance abuse Ironically, mental health challenges tend to be rarely talked about, delay the onset of the participant children’s retention rate, continues to collect pilot data, issues, mental illness or both. Eventually despite their prevalence. Joanne Riebschleger, Michigan State development of mental health disorders. with special emphasis on the development they want to propose and test a scale in the Shorter term objectives are to increase youth of measures to assess youth knowledge of United States, Norway, the Netherlands University (MSU) School of Social Work associate professor, is knowledge of mental health disorders and mental illness and recovery. Emerging data and Germany, the home countries of the recovery, as well as to improve coping skills. working to change that, especially for children of parents with does show, however, that children who have researchers in the group. Participants are taught that mental health is been through a session are doing significantly mental health illnesses. Studies show that these kids have a In the meantime, Riebschleger has signed part of healthcare. Riebschleger said stigmas better three months afterward, she said. The a book contract with Lyceum Publishers higher risk of developing a mental health disorder than children related to mental health often prevent people ability of the participants to cope also appears of Chicago to co-edit a rural child welfare from discussing the issue. The program aims to be in good shape, she added. who do not have a parent or other close relative with a mental casebook with Barbara Pierce from the to break down those barriers and teach YES is a collaborative community-based Indiana University School of Social Work. health challenge. participants how to build a crisis plan in the ABOVE: Children of parents with mental health study developed with support from the This casebook will be based on real-life child event that they ever need one. illnesses have a higher risk of developing a “This is a common illness, and we need to teach people that it Guidance Center — a mental health contract welfare cases and is meant to better prepare mental health disorder than children who do A mobile in Riebschleger’s office on the agency in the downriver Detroit area — the not have a parent or other close relative with a is common,” she said. “We, as a society, do a much better job of future child-welfare workers for practice in mental health challenge. An MSU researcher has MSU campus is an example of one of the Gerstacker Foundation (Midland, Michigan) rural areas across the United States, Canada developed a pilot program to help address the educating our kids about sexually transmitted diseases than group exercises. Cards, each hand-labeled and two innovative prevention program and Australia. needs of these youth. Photo: Thinkstock we do about mental illness. Both are very important, but we and drawn by students, show various evaluation enhancement grants from the OPPOSITE: Joanne Riebschleger, MSU coping mechanisms and dangle from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Department of Social Work. definitely need to do a better job with mental health.” mobile. Ideas range from talking to friends Administration.

The overarching purpose of the program, now in its fourth year, is to prevent or delay the onset of the participant children’s development of mental health disorders. 12 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 13 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Investigating Cheryl Kerfeld, the John A. Hannah thought to be static and fixed to a important for modifying cyanobacteria to be Distinguished Professor of Structural protein scaffold. microbial cell factories.” algae’s full Bioengineering and an AgBioResearch “It’s known that carotenoids have Cyanobacteria are also being tested for potential as an scientist, and her team of researchers photoprotective functions, but the OCP is viability as a chemical precursor for have been studying a process by which unique in that the carotenoid is also used plastics, in addition to fuels. Nearly all cyanobacteria protect themselves from too efficient renewable as part of a switch that’s turned on and off precursors in the chemical industry much light. by light,” Leverenz said. “Now that we can are currently petroleum-based, so energy source “Without a molecular mechanism to deal see the switched ‘on’ form of the protein sustainability and environmental impacts with excess light energy, the cyanobacteria structurally, which we were able to see in are concerns. would, essentially, fry,” Kerfeld said. “They the lab, we’re learning more about how it The U.S. Department of Energy has set a have to have a way to take in only the binds to the antennae of the cyanobacteria goal of generating 25 percent of industrial energy they need without overloading their and how it helps dissipate energy after it chemicals from biological processes systems.” binds. Once we fully learn how this process by 2025. Improving the efficiency of is performed in nature, we hope to apply Cyanobacteria have antennae that are photosynthesis in cyanobacteria can the principles to design new artificial used to capture light energy. A protein in increase yields and address questions photosynthetic systems.” the cyanobacteria, known as the orange surrounding its use as a practical solution carotenoid protein (OCP), changes from Researchers have noticed that, though to energy challenges. orange to a protective reddish color when cyanobacteria possess this unique “There is great potential in using a carotenoid pigment attached to the mechanism for dissipating excess light cyanobacteria as a way to understand protein detects too much light. In this energy, they don’t always perform the task the complex process of photosynthesis,” activated state, the protein plugs into in the most efficient way. Harnessing the Kerfeld said. “We have to better understand the cyanobacteria’s antennae, helping the energy lost as heat will be important in the how photosynthesis is carried out in organism dissipate excess light energy development of artificial photosynthetic nature and how that translates to real- lue-green algae may look unappealing in nature, as heat. The molecular structure of the systems as a reliable energy source. world applications, from the perspectives settling on the surface of swamps and other bodies activated state and the cause of the protein’s “Our group spends some of our time in of biology, physics and chemistry. So color change were previously unknown. of water. But it could be one of the catalysts for California and some in Michigan. With we need to continue to collaborate as B A paper published in Science, written by the drought in California, people are very developing the bioeconomy of the 21st century, including multidisciplinary teams to push this ABOVE: Cheryl Kerfeld (center), the John A. Kerfeld’s group with lead author and mindful of dripping faucets and their overall research forward. Our team is really excited Hannah Distinguished Professor of Structural renewable energy sources that fuel the future. research assistant Ryan Leverenz, water consumption,” Kerfeld said. “In about what we’ve seen so far, but we know Bioengineering, and her team, which includes details the structure of the activated form Michigan, there’s plenty of water, so people technical aide Emily Pawlowski and research there’s a lot of work still to be done.” assistant Ryan Leverenz, have been studying The algae, also known as cyanobacteria, use photosynthesis of the OCP and reveals an unexpected don’t think about it much at all. It’s kind of Funding for the project has been provided a process by which cyanobacteria protect to convert light energy from the sun into the chemical energy movement of the carotenoid. Kerfeld’s like that with cyanobacteria. They’re so used themselves from too much light. by the endowment of Kerfeld’s position, the team — which includes Leverenz and to having so much sun that they don’t bother Photo: MSU CABS MSU-DOE Plant Research Lab and MSU needed for growth and function. Scientists at Michigan State co-lead author Markus Sutter, among to be careful about their photoprotective AgBioResearch, with additional funding OPPOSITE: Kerfeld conducts lab experiments University (MSU) are learning more about the photosynthetic other MSU researchers, the Kirilovsky process — they turn it on and forget to to study photosynthesis using cyanobacteria, Lab in France and scientists from Berkeley turn it off. We want to help cyanobacteria from the Kirilovsky Lab in France and the which converts light from the sun to the process from these abundant organisms — with an eye on Berkeley National Laboratory. chemical energy necessary for growing and National Laboratory — is the first to see be smarter about photoprotection and not functioning. Photo: Courtesy of Cheryl Kerfeld efficiency. this behavior. Previously, carotenoids were waste so much of that energy as heat. This is

“There is great potential in using cyanobacteria as a way to understand the complex process of photosynthesis.” — Cheryl Kerfeld

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Inventorying y 2050, the United States seeks to reduce its carbon The U.S. Forest Service enlisted six manageable pieces, measure the green similar trees and how they grow in various emissions by 80 percent, a goal set forth by the Obama universities across the country — MSU, weight of each piece and, in the lab, remove areas of the United States, reporting any U.S. forests the University of Maine, the University the water by heating the wood. The final new findings back to the team. of Georgia, Virginia Tech University, the administration as part of a comprehensive plan to address step is to determine the carbon content of In December, MacFarlane traveled to to determine B University of Montana and Oregon State the dry mass. climate change. For carbon that does enter the atmosphere, the Portland, Maine, to the National Forest University — in a five-year project to complete carbon “It turns out that, in general, a chunk of a Inventory Symposium. The weeklong planting of trees and the prevention of deforestation can help. collect data on various tree species and tree is about half water,” MacFarlane said. meeting featured researchers from the removal capacity their carbon content. Carbon, in the gaseous form of carbon dioxide, is taken in by “The dry mass is about half carbon. So if Forest Service showcasing findings from “For a long time, scientists have known you know the mass of a tree, you can use their work. MacFarlane and his colleagues trees and thus removed from the environment. Researchers such that trees are related to the global carbon that rule of thumb and say about a quarter presented on testing existing equations as Michigan State University (MSU) AgBioResearch scientist cycle,” MacFarlane said. “So when people of that green mass is carbon. But the only with new data, as well as new models for started talking about how we could offset David MacFarlane have been working to measure the amount way to truly know the mass of a tree is improving estimation. He believes that, as emissions from human activities, one of to weigh it. We don’t want to cut down a the dataset grows and the equations are of carbon in trees, hoping to learn the capacity of these natural the ways is to grow trees. This has to be whole bunch of trees unnecessarily just to refined, the public will take notice. converted from the idea phase to learning weigh them, so we have to be smart about resources as carbon-removal mechanisms. “It’s nice to plant trees and talk about the how much carbon is actually in trees. This it and collect as much data from each tree good it does, but what people really want project started in 2011, and we’ve been as possible.” collecting a large amount of data.” to know is, ‘How good is it?’” MacFarlane Mathematical equations have already been said. “Public investment in forest carbon A national forest inventory is taken by the developed for determining carbon content. offset projects is significant. We can start U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and According to MacFarlane, however, there treating carbon offsets like a commodity. Analysis (FIA) program on a network of hasn’t been enough data collected to make We know how much a bushel of wheat permanent sample plots across the country. the equations reliable. costs. It varies, but we can quantify it The plots help researchers estimate the pretty easily and assign a dollar value to number of trees, the timber volume of “The universities on the project have various species, the speed of growth and monthly conference calls to talk about it. But how much do forests offset carbon other valuable information describing U.S. progress, and this is when we share the emissions? As we collect more data, we’ll forests. FIA’s early inventories focused new data,” MacFarlane said. “We didn’t continue to learn.” on national and regional timber stocks. have a lot of great data from across the Now, MacFarlane said, scientists’ viewing country, so the equations that were RIGHT: Members of David MacFarlane’s research forests as living ecosystems that serve many developed previously were just sort of team cut trees into small sections in the field to purposes is expanding the scope of FIA. cobbled together. They’ve tweaked the make laboratory work easier. Water is removed equations slightly, and now they have two from these samples in the lab to determine the Trees are composed largely of carbon carbon weight. They are working to quantify the methods, but the two get different answers. dioxide and water, with small amounts of amount of carbon in trees, hoping to learn the Without a comprehensive dataset, we can’t capacity of these natural resources as carbon- nutrients from the soil as well. To get an be very accurate in our estimates.” removal mechanisms. Photo: Courtesy of David accurate measurement of the amount of MacFarlane carbon in various types of trees, researchers In response, the group developed a plan

OPPOSITE: David MacFarlane, MSU Department must cut down trees of different sizes to target species that are prevalent across of Forestry. and species. They then cut each tree into the country. Each researcher would study

To get an accurate measurement of the amount of carbon in various types of trees, researchers must cut down trees of different sizes and species. 16 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 17 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Curtailing In an effort to curtail environmental harm, million of economic impact. Gore and her team use a survey method Gore has been working in the area of The DNR uses a comprehensive dataset called the randomized response technique. environmental conservation criminology, a joint effort to inform its management policies, taking This allows individuals to answer questions between the university’s Department of under the condition of confidentiality. into account the population size of animals harm through Fisheries and Wildlife and the School The research team’s goal is not to fine or and other biological factors. But there are of Criminal Justice. Her educational penalize hunters and trappers, Gore said, still missing pieces to these management efforts in background is in anthropology and natural but to ensure that accurate data regarding recommendations. Studying four furbearers resource policy, but human behavior has resource use is collected. conservation in particular — American marten, bobcat, always been a significant interest. criminology fisher and river otter — Gore wants She also compiles risk maps for species “I have always wanted to know more about to better inform the DNR’s models by based on population estimates, habitat, humans and how we interact with the accounting for noncompliance with rules. the extent of illegal exploitation and other environment,” Gore said. “Unfortunately, factors. She hopes to learn the scale of “This project is aiming to produce new a lot of negative consequences to the illegal take and contribute evidence that human dimension data to include in these environment come as a result of negligent can inform policy and create a sustainable models,” Gore said. “If stakeholders are and sometimes illegal behavior from future. not complying with rules, what does that humans. My work, both in Michigan and look like? Where is it occurring? One of the Funding for the project comes from the abroad, deals with conservation while DNR and MSU AgBioResearch. Gore using criminology theory and methods of really challenging things with furbearer management is that the state has to rewrite believes the collaborative effort between analyzing data that help to build a better MSU and the State of Michigan will benefit understanding of the human dimension.” its management recommendations on an almost annual basis. It can be confusing to all citizens, regardless of whether they The MSU conservation criminology resource users, and it’s time-consuming. hunt. program was established in 2008 and If the model were more holistic, we could “Every person is affected by environmental is the only one of its kind in the world, have more stable and sustainable policy.” harm,” Gore said. “We are either a cause Gore said. Graduate students can earn a of an environmental harm, or we can nterdisciplinary research is a cornerstone of innovation Involving communities in her research certificate by taking three courses that be negatively affected. This research leads to the best results, Gore said, because at Michigan State University (MSU). The opportunities integrate conservation, natural resources tries to resolve those negative impacts. there are cultural considerations that are management, criminal justice, and risk Unfortunately, environmental harms for faculty members to partner with colleagues across the important. Many families in Michigan have I and decision sciences. These fields are increasing through climate change, a history of hunting and trapping, which various MSU colleges are plentiful — and encouraged. Input also shape Gore’s research, including a illegal activity, etc. The bioeconomy is are often passed down through generations. from experts in many fields will be crucial to developing project in Michigan that aims to improve really important in Michigan, and we Failing to capture information from those management of furbearing animals. have amazing natural resources. If we’re ABOVE: Meredith Gore’s research melds solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. spending time outdoors would be remiss. the fields of conservation, natural resources Michigan has a long history of furbearer not measuring threats to the bioeconomy management, criminal justice, and risk and hunting and trapping, creating a “Trappers and hunters can be the first line accurately, then we’re not going to reduce decision sciences. Her work extends around the With topics such as climate change dominating news headlines to where these animals are and whether globe, including a project in Michigan that aims substantial economic industry. The risks.” to improve management of furbearing animals, and the political sphere, MSU and other research institutions will Michigan Department of Natural Resources they’re being managed sustainably,” such as river otters. Photo: Thinkstock be asked to provide leadership and answers. Meredith Gore, (DNR) indicates that the state is third in Gore said. “They provide really valuable the nation in hunter participation, with information, so they are a critical part of OPPOSITE: Meredith Gore, MSU Department an associate professor in the MSU Department of Fisheries and of Fisheries and Wildlife and the School of nearly 800,000 licensed hunters and $28 this project in data collection.” Criminal Justice. Wildlife, is one of the researchers leading the charge.

The MSU conservation criminology program was established in 2008 and is the only one of its kind in the world.

18 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 19 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

The 2011 EPA Biological Assessment revealed and many other variables. Historically, data points across hundreds of locations, this Developing that nearly 42 percent of U.S. streams are models have done a poor job at considering simplification proves invaluable. alternative in “poor” biological condition, which is several variables concurrently, leaving After introducing future climate scenarios measured by the health of native fish and researchers to make generalizations based on into the stream health models, the approach to assess invertebrate populations. Only 53 percent relatively small amounts of data. researchers then develop risk maps showing were determined to be in “fair” or “good” “There have been significant knowledge gaps which sections of water are in greatest need stream health, condition. The remaining 5 percent have not in determining stream health in the past, and of remediation. Researchers and outreach been assessed. use data more we used the wrong criteria to assess stream professionals can use these maps to inform efficiently But there are significant factors of stream health,” Nejadhashemi said. “I think of it like policy that utilizes resources efficiently. health that are ignored in these figures. Are going to the doctor for a health checkup. The “These are extremely valuable tools for all enough individual sites being monitored doctor performs several tests to determine stakeholders engaging in water resources to accurately gauge aquatic ecosystems? if you’re healthy. You can’t simply evaluate planning,” Nejadhashemi said. “At this How will climate change affect fresh water your overall health by checking only your point, we may be spending time and money resources? How can this information be eyesight. That’s what we’ve been doing with on areas that may not be in critical need of pieced together to inform policy decisions? stream health historically, so we’ve needed attention. But with the added information Pouyan Nejadhashemi, an associate to use new techniques along with several from our models, we have a better chance at professor in the Department of Biosystems indicators to measure stream health more making evidence-based recommendations. and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) at accurately.” We would like to expand this project beyond Michigan State University (MSU), believes Through collaborations with the Michigan Michigan to be a part of comprehensive that one of his research projects may hold the national policy for protecting fresh water Department of Natural Resources and the answers. resources, which not only focuses on water Great Lakes Commission, biological data was “It’s simply not feasible from cost and quality but also natural habitats.” collected from streams in Flint, Muskegon resource perspectives to regularly monitor and all the way to the Upper Peninsula. This project is funded by the U.S. oughly 2.5 percent of global water is fresh water. Only 1.2 thousands of individual locations on each These rich datasets were incorporated into Department of Agriculture National body of water,” Nejadhashemi said. “That percent of that is surface water such as rivers, lakes and the stream health models using fuzzy logic Institute of Food and Agriculture and MSU would be a waste of resources, particularly streams. With more than 7 billion people around the world techniques, which are based on “degree of AgBioResearch. R for some areas that may be in good condition. truth” rather than the absolute truth value. relying on fresh water for drinking, agriculture, recreation and more, So we needed to develop an alternative the need to preserve this vital resource is greater than ever. approach that takes into account hundreds “Stream health is a complex issue that ABOVE: Pouyan Nejadhashemi reviews data of variables to assess stream health is nonlinear in nature,” Nejadhashemi on stream health with students. Through condition. Then we can use that data to said. “We can use fuzzy logic to add a collaborations with the Michigan Department In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Natural Resources and the Great Lakes make better decisions, focusing limited linguistic interpretation to stream health Commission, biological data was collected passed the Clean Water Act in 1972 in an effort to “restore and resources on the areas of greatest need.” conditions, which helps create more easily from streams in Flint, Muskegon and the Upper understandable results.” Peninsula, among others. Photo: Courtesy of maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Nejadhashemi and his research group — Pouyan Nejadhashemi nation’s waters.” The new law established protocols for regulating including Matt Einheuser, Matthew Herman Fuzzy logic allows the research team to and Sean Woznicki — have developed create if-then statements. For example, if OPPOSITE: Pouyan Nejadhashemi, MSU water pollution, and although more than 40 years have passed, water Department of Biosystems and Agricultural models that factor in aquatic life, soil, land pollutant concentration is high, then stream Engineering. quality improvements are moving slowly. use, climate change, erosion, plant growth health is poor. Using thousands of individual

Nejadhashemi and his research group have developed models that factor in aquatic life, soil, land use, climate change, erosion, plant growth and many other variables. 20 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 21 SECURE FOOD AND FIBER SYSTEMS SECURE FOOD AND FIBER SYSTEMS

ountless communities To discover ways to break down and fend to kill and facilitate the spread of some are two coordinated signaling pathways for such a complex. It’s a model, not a Studying infectious bacteria. M. xanthus is known responsible for prompting the cells to structure – but structures of these things are of bacteria called off infectious bacteria, scientists must signaling and understand how cells integrate signals from for the rapid formation of multicellular change shape. extremely hard to obtain.” structures, some consisting of up to 100,000 microbiomes live on one another and the environment, and how “You have these two transcription factors In the midst of drafting a manuscript on gene regulation C they respond by changing gene expression, cells, called fruiting bodies. and inside the human body. — things that control gene expression — the project, Kroos is excited about the metabolism, motility and morphology. possibilities. He said other scientists will be in bacteria They can also develop on food Kroos, professor in the MSU departments one that responds to starvation and the Unraveling how these mechanisms work of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, other that responds to the cells being close able to use this model in efforts to figure out and within drain pipes, to will likely spur advancements of medical, and Microbiology and Molecular together,” he said. “If you have both signals, how to inhibit the enzyme, thereby stopping name just a few other places. agricultural and environmental importance. Genetics, studies the biochemical and we found that the two transcription factors sporulation of related bacteria and making Michigan State University (MSU) genetic simplicity of these bacteria during bind cooperatively to the DNA to regulate them less infectious. He said that could be a In fact, one study estimates AgBioResearch scientist Lee Kroos is development to explore the molecular genes that are needed for sporulation. It’s step toward designing a new antibiotic. that there are 10 times more conducting basic research on Bacillus subtilis mechanisms of signaling and gene a way to integrate the signals with these Kroos has devoted much of his 27-year and Myxococcus xanthus, soil bacteria that regulation. Ultimately, he aims to establish transcription factors.” career at MSU to studying these bacterial cells than human cells new paradigms based on these well- are model organisms for understanding Like M. xanthus, B. subtilis also undergoes two bacteria. M. xanthus is part of the within the body. And another documented bacteria that can be applied to cell-to-cell signaling and changes in gene development when starved. The cell is myxobacteria family, which has been used other more difficult-to-work-with and less- shows as many as 20,000 expression that cause cell differentiation. partitioned into two compartments — the as biological control agents. They also is well-studied by the scientific well-understood microorganisms. B. subtilis mother cell and the forespore — each of make lots of compounds, including a new species of bacteria in 1 quart community, in part because of its ability to “Manipulation of microbial communities which expresses distinct sets of genes in an anticancer compound used in breast cancer form spores. Spores are extremely difficult of seawater. to improve life and solve global problems ordered temporal fashion under the control treatment. B. subtilis is not pathogenic to will depend on knowledge of how bacteria of different subunits of RNA polymerase. humans, but it is related to Bacillus anthracis, interact with one another and their which causes anthrax. The signaling between the forespore and environment,” Kroos said. “Microbial Kroos said the research is important because the mother cell is based on an enzyme that communities affect global processes such as limited understanding of how microbes is present in nearly all living organisms. In cycling of elements between soil, water and control complex behaviors in response human health, it regulates diverse signaling air, and primary productivity of the oceans. to one another and their environment pathways and is implicated in some disease They have impacts on ecosystems and all the impedes our ability to harness the microbes processes. In a study funded by the National organisms that inhabit them.” for pollution and climate control, and for Institutes of Health, Kroos and his research In 2014, Kroos published a paper that increased bioenergy and food production. team isolated a stable form of the enzyme provides key insight into the formation of along with its substrate to create the first He said more work needs to be done in fruiting bodies. M. xanthus are predatorlike such data-based model of its kind. educating the general public about such and feed on other bacteria. When they things as beneficial bacteria. Therefore, in “Nobody else has been able to isolate a stable run out of food, the microbes go through a addition to training postdocs and graduate RIGHT: Bacillus subtilis is a well-studied soil developmental process by which thousands complex like that,” he said. “We have done bacterium. An MSU study is looking at B. subtilis and undergraduate students in the lab, cross-linking studies where we form cross- in an effort to establish new paradigms for of cells aggregate to form the fruiting body. Kroos conducts outreach with various other more difficult-to-work-with and less well The long, rod-shaped bacterial cells then links between the two proteins. We can tell community organizations. understood microorganisms. Photo: Thinkstock convert into round spores. With funding where those cross-links are. It’s allowed us

OPPOSITE: Lee Kroos, MSU Department of from the National Science Foundation, to build a model of the enzyme-substrate Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Kroos and his team discovered that there complex. There is currently no other model

Ultimately, Kroos aims to establish new paradigms based on these well-documented bacteria that can be applied to other more difficult-to-work-with and less-well-understood microorganisms. 22 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 23 SECURE FOOD AND FIBER SYSTEMS SECURE FOOD AND FIBER SYSTEMS

Examining internal and external variation in viral shedding using low- “There is clearly something beyond the “We don’t talk about any of these things pathogenic avian influenza virus and two environment, some intrinsic basis for this in isolation because they’re all connected,” factors affecting pathogenic loads species of waterfowl — the mallard (Anas pattern,” she said. “It is likely happening in she said. “The idea is that this module for platyrhynchos) and the blue-winged teal the bird’s gut, where low-pathogenic strains human malaria simulation is adapted to be and ‘supershedders’ (A. discors). of influenza virus bind to host cells.” applied to a new environmental organismal • Test how variation in host body condition Owen, her students and three colleagues biology class some of my colleagues and I will be developing.” ore than 60 percent Unlike many others, these grants require — caused by food restriction — affects at MSU LearnDAT (Learning Design and how a bird responds to West Nile virus, Technology) are developing a computer of all human both a research and a teaching component Owen said she hopes to provide non-majors and an integration of the two. using the American robin (Turdus simulation program for non-STEM with a yearning to pursue science. In migratorius) as a focal species. students. Owen is a faculty member with infectious diseases Through the project, Owen is looking to general, she said, their view of the subject M the MSU Center for Integrative Studies in originate in animals, and better understand why some individuals • Develop simulation models to is low because of negative experiences and General Science (CISGS), and she decided within a population carry higher pathogen demonstrate how environmental factors misperceptions. Owen has had previous within the past century, an to focus on human malaria — a disease she loads than others. She is particularly influence disease outbreaks. success in this regard, usually having at least had not previously studied — because there unprecedented number of interested in “supershedders,” the ones in a • Adapt the models to allow non-STEM one student every other semester switch is more data available on malaria, and it is population that, for unknown reasons, are (science, technology, engineering, from a non-science major to a science- diseases have emerged that a better fit for the environmental science responsible for most of the pathogen load. mathematics) students in college general related one. Owen said the key is educating pose significant risks to wild curriculum in the CISGS program. “We’re looking to see if there is a science classes to learn about disease students on how science is relevant in and domestic animal and “I’m very passionate about teaching non- genetic basis for supershedders by using dynamics. Through a user-friendly everyday lives, such as pointing out daily majors and getting them to understand human populations. Many of transcriptomics and RNA sequencing,” she computer interface, students will be able examples in the news. to manipulate environmental stressors the role of science in everyday life and them originate in wild birds. said. “We want to see if there are genes that She believes that implementing a computer associated with climate change and/ making those connections,” she said. are differently expressed in supershedders simulation exercise, such as the one on or other natural disturbances, and then “Disease fascinates students, and once you Jen Owen, an associate than in non-supershedders.” malaria that illustrates concepts taught track disease outcomes that are host- and start talking about infectious diseases like throughout the semester, will leave students professor in the Michigan State Owen said there is a significant knowledge pathogen-specific. malaria, you quickly get their attention and University (MSU) Department gap in disease epidemiology when it genuine interest.” better equipped to answer relevant and comes to understanding the intrinsic and Through previous research, Owen found thought-provoking questions and improve The computer simulation will depict an of Fisheries and Wildlife, is extrinsic factors that determine variation that waterfowl infected with avian the large-class learning experience. African village in an area in which malaria working on a project funded in infectiousness. Knowing more about the influenza virus exhibit significant within- is endemic. Students will be able to adjust The new course she is developing, called basis for pathogen load variation and why species variation in how much virus by the National Science aspects of the climate such as temperature “Emerging Infectious Disease and Global some individuals shed much larger amounts they produce/shed — i.e., how infectious and rainfall, as well as socioeconomic Climate Change,” is expected to be offered Foundation (NSF) to assess will provide information to develop more they became. Furthermore, she and her ABOVE: Two species of waterfowl — the mallard research team found that, contrary to their status in the village. Students will see how within the next two years or so. Owen is and the blue winged teal — are being studied realistic epidemiological models that lead variation in the pathogen load also in the midst of writing a book about the in order to assess variation in pathogen load to cost-effective, targeted prevention and predictions, healthy birds shed more disease changes in climate and levels of poverty in virus-infected birds. The research seeks to ecology of infectious diseases in wild birds. in virus-infected birds. It is an control strategies, she said. organisms than unhealthy birds. But they affect risk of infection as well as recovery better understand why some wild birds called also found that, regardless of environmental and treatment. She also wants students supershedders carry the bulk of pathogen load. NSF Career grant, one of the The project has the following objectives: Photo: Thinkstock conditions, 20 percent of birds within a to be able to understand how the health most prestigious awards given OPPOSITE: Jen Owen, MSU Department of • Use genome-wide technologies to population shed 80 percent of the virus. of the people is linked to the health of the Fisheries and Wildlife. to early-career faculty members. investigate how gene expression affects These individuals are the supershedders. environment.

“We’re looking to see if there is a genetic basis for supershedders by using transcriptomics and RNA sequencing.” — Jen Owen

24 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 25 SECURE FOOD AND FIBER SYSTEMS SECURE FOOD AND FIBER SYSTEMS

Studies on L. plantarum as a probiotic — live entirely different approach used in lactate with pincer complexes have biological bacteria that can be helpful in digestion racemase. In particular, what happens is significance and can have a great impact on Defining enzyme His174 and immune system function — have that the enzyme has a cofactor that’s not the work we’re doing.” Lys184 been promising. And there’s a significant just nickel — it has a niacin [vitamin B3]- The Hausinger team believes it has just structure a step market. Consumers have responded well derived organic component to it as well. scratched the service of understanding to the growing scientific support for a That cofactor — the organic and inorganic lactate racemase and the roles of the novel in the right components — is attached to the protein. wide range of probiotic supplements, foods cofactor in L. plantarum and other bacteria. That was surprising and unusual.” direction to and beverages, making it a global industry Hausinger is excited to continue the worth more than $28 billion per year. In a paper published in the July 3, research with a broad array of partners. better understand 2016, issue of , Desguin, the lead “I’ve seen articles mentioning L. plantarum’s Science “Making this connection among various author, detailed the process by which bacteria function His200 ability to enhance iron uptake, produce scientific disciplines is what led to Arg75 the group defined the structure of the bacteriocin, and decrease levels of this discovery,” Hausinger said. “We lactate racemase enzyme and its cofactor, triglycerides and other lipid-associated are continuing to work with scientists something never seen before. Seeing the components, including cholesterol,” in Belgium. Inorganic chemists across makeup of the enzyme will help researchers said Robert Hausinger, a professor of the country are also interested in this learn more about how it helps L. plantarum microbiology and molecular genetics at research. Hopefully, it will lead to a better and other bacteria function. Michigan State University (MSU). understanding of lactate racemase’s Although Hausinger hasn’t yet delved Using the sophisticated method of mass chemistry. That could have significant His108 into the human health applications of spectrometry and Hu’s expertise in implications on other biological reactions.” crystallography, the team elucidated the L. plantarum, his laboratory is studying a The project is funded by the National lactate racemase enzyme structure in the key component of the bacteria — lactate Science Foundation, the Department of lab. The researchers saw that the cofactor racemase. After reading a report from a Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at they found contains an organic and Belgian group in 2014, which identified MSU, and MSU AgBioResearch. inorganic component, including a nickel lactate racemase as a nickel-containing n the world of bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum is as versatile as ion bonded in a planar manner to a carbon enzyme, Hausinger was intrigued. they come. The microorganism produces a large amount of lactic atom and two sulfur atoms. The discovery A team consisting of Hausinger; Benoît marks the first instance of this unique acid and can interconvert between its two forms, L-lactate and I Desguin, a postdoctoral researcher from the configuration, known as a pincer complex, D-lactate, through the use of an enzyme known as lactate racemase. Belgian group; and Jian Hu, an assistant in biology. Inorganic chemists work with professor in biochemistry and molecular pincer complexes regularly. ABOVE: The green sphere in the cofactor But L. plantarum is not just impressive on the molecular level — it has biology at MSU, has since made some “Desguin was able to identify exactly where diagram represents nickel. Robert Hausinger has important discoveries. been interested in nickel-containing enzymes many applications on a much grander scale. the cofactor was bound to the protein for decades. His team has discovered a bond “I’ve been interested in nickel for a long and characterize it,” Hausinger said. from the nickel ion to a carbon atom and two Making silage, a fermented animal feed, or fermented foods such as time,” Hausinger said. “I’ve done a lot of sulfur atoms, known as a pincer complex, which “It’s really elegant work that he and Tuo had previously never been identified in biology. sauerkraut for humans are just a couple of L. plantarum’s capabilities. work over the years with another enzyme Zhang [a postdoctoral researcher with Image: Courtesy of Robert Hausinger But the headliner may be the potential it holds in the area of human called urease. It contains nickel, and to Hu] did to sort out how it all fits together. put that nickel in place there’s a protein Additionally, the great thing is that now OPPOSITE: Robert Hausinger, MSU Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. health. assembly ‘machine’ in the cell. There’s an the studies by research inorganic chemists

Using the sophisticated method of mass spectrometry and Hu’s expertise in crystallography, the team elucidated the lactate racemase enzyme structure in the lab. 26 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 27 SECURE FOOD AND FIBER SYSTEMS SECURE FOOD AND FIBER SYSTEMS

sacrificing freshness. unrefrigerated rooms for cleaning, during achieved both goals. A FRESHER A series of pathogen outbreaks and product which time pathogens — which may have “Our work found that specific gas mixtures been present in non-harmful quantities — recalls — most notably a 2006 E. coli in conjunction with the right sanitizers can can rapidly proliferate. VEGETABLE: outbreak in fresh spinach that resulted in result in safer produce while maintaining over 270 hospitalizations and three deaths “If the temperature increases, you have the fresh quality that consumers desire,” Re-evaluating how — were the impetus for this project. the potential for pathogen growth,” Ryser Almenar said. “We have also seen that said. “Retailers recognize there are issues “This is part of a much larger USDA in-package gases are more effective than here, and our research is going to help them food is stored project to look at safety in fresh fruits and sanitizers at reducing microbial activity on resolve those issues.” vegetables,” said Ryser, professor in the produce.” MSU Department of Food Science and Controlling the climate in which produce To ensure that the produce meets consumer Human Nutrition. “After being treated with is stored is only one part of the solution. expectations, Harte, associate professor Almenar, associate professor in the MSU sanitizers, many products are packaged in the Department of Food Science and School of Packaging, worked with her team under various atmospheres and exposed to Human Nutrition, conducted a series of to evaluate the in-package gases used to fluctuating temperature conditions, which surveys and sensory panels. Her team had can increase the chances that they become inhibit microbial growth in produce. consumers compare stored produce, such contaminated or lose their freshness. Our “To minimize microbial growth of both as celery and onions, with produce fresh findings will be built into USDA’s risk pathogens and molds, we use in-package from the field and rate them on texture, assessment program to improve food safety.” gases with lower oxygen and higher carbon color, aroma and other characteristics. very day, millions of MSU AgBioResearch food scientists Elliot Combating pathogens begins as soon as dioxide,” Almenar said. “Such mixtures can “Even if the produce is safe, if it doesn’t Ryser, Eva Almenar, Janice Harte and the produce is harvested. The produce is reduce the shelf life of the food, however, appeal to consumers in the store, they won’t people buy packaged Randy Beaudry, together with colleagues washed before packaging with water that so we were tasked with finding the right fresh-cut produce from from Rutgers University and Ohio State has been mixed with sanitizing agents such balance that maximizes both microbial buy it,” Harte said. “It wasn’t enough that E University, are studying the impact and as chlorine and peracetic acid to remove control and freshness.” we simply controlled the microbial growth their local grocery stores, secure on the food — we had to make sure that increasing the efficacy of sanitizers and pathogens. These compounds remove 90 Fresh vegetables and fruits respire inside the produce was marketable, that controls in the knowledge that what gases used in packaging fresh-cut produce percent to 99 percent of the pathogens from the atmospherically limited packaging, through a $2 million grant from the U.S. were something retailers could put into they bring home will, indeed, be the produce itself. Though that eliminates consuming an already limited amount Department of Agriculture (USDA) the vast majority of pathogens, a colony of of oxygen and producing additional practice without hurting their sales.” fresh when they eat it. But that National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 1,000 Salmonella cells on a single tomato is carbon dioxide. Eventually they deplete The research has resulted in a series of freshness does not last forever. Chemical compounds are used to treat capable of contaminating an entire batch. the package’s oxygen supply, at which safer produce packaging protocols without produce before packaging to neutralize any Ryser’s lab studied this spread of pathogen point fermentation begins to take place, sacrificing the freshness that makes fresh-cut All packaged food — fresh-cut harmful pathogens that may be present, from inoculated to non-inoculated produce eventually rendering the produce both produce an important part of a healthy diet. in tomatoes, onions, celery and cantaloupe. damaged and decidedly unappetizing. vegetables in particular — has such as Salmonella or E. coli. The use of “Assuming that industry adopts these new these sanitizers is required by federal Ryser and his team found that controlling Striking the right balance between strategies, our produce will be safer and a limited shelf life. A team regulation before the produce can be sold. the temperature at which produce is controlling microbial growth with carbon have a longer shelf life,” Ryser said. “There ABOVE: Elliot Ryser, MSU Department of Food of Michigan State University Most produce packages are also filled with stored is critical to controlling pathogen dioxide and providing enough oxygen to is, of course, no silver bullet when dealing Science and Human Nutrition. Photo: MSU CABS gases, such as carbon dioxide, to inhibit spread. The produce can undergo extend the shelf life of the produce was with pathogens, but we can significantly (MSU) researchers is working the growth of microbes. The MSU team significant temperature fluctuations the focus of Almenar’s work. Testing a OPPOSITE: The MSU research team found that inhibit their growth and spread, and keep was tasked with finding the right balance during transportation from the field to wide range of gas combinations in celery, in-package gases were more effective at inhibiting to extend that shelf life while them from reaching dangerous levels.” microbial growth on produce than sanitizers used between the compounds and gases to the store. Often vegetables are briefly kept onions and tomatoes ultimately led to during the washing process. Photo: Thinkstock improving food safety. ensure maximum food safety without in warmer areas such as loading docks or the discovery of the ideal mixtures that

The research has resulted in a series of safer produce packaging protocols without sacrificing the freshness that makes fresh-cut produce an important part of a healthy diet. 28 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 29 ENHANCING PROFITABILITY ENHANCING PROFITABILITY

Adapting human next major plant epidemic. Department of Biosystems and Agricultural in East Lansing, we can look at data being Martin Chilvers and Brad Day, MSU Engineering, developed a biosensor for uploaded by a farmer in Malawi and maybe medical technology AgBioResearch plant pathologists, are leading detecting pathogens in humans. After see the first signs of an epidemic. From there, the multidisciplinary team. conversations with Day, however, the two we can do fundamental research on the to predict plant researchers realized that the potential for ground to try to stop it before it becomes a “We aim to provide point-of-contact plant her technology could reach beyond human serious problem.” diseases disease diagnosis, which will facilitate rapid medicine. By adjusting the sensor’s probes, The more people using PhotosynQ around disease management decisions to minimize Alocilja was able to use Day’s genomic data to crop losses and improve grower profitability,” the world, the better the chances of reconfigure the device to target specific plant said Chilvers, assistant professor in the MSU spotting an epidemic before it truly begins. pathogens. Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Kramer plans to produce the device in large Sciences. “The data we collect will also aid in “The biosensor could allow early and quick quantities and distribute it to growers at a longer term management solutions. For the screening of plants in the field, which would minimal cost. general public and globally, this will translate warn growers about impending outbreaks,” “If we can get thousands of devices to people into increased food security.” Alocilja said. “Early recognition of pathogens and have them collect data on plant variety, would give them time to implement disease To diagnose plant diseases, however, the environmental conditions, management control methods before the pathogens reach team needed an expert who could identify techniques, etc., we can generate a massive epidemic proportions.” the genetic markers of plant disease. Day data set,” Kramer said. “The more data we ot only do agricultural For instance, a 2000 outbreak of fire blight has spent his entire career combing plant Though the biosensor can detect pathogens, have, the better the picture of global plant carved a wide swath through Michigan’s producers have to genomes in an effort to understand how putting that data into a larger geographical conditions that emerges from it. That’s what orchards, resulting in an estimated $42 plants resist pathogens. His work has context requires an additional tool. That we’re trying to do with PhotosynQ — lower contend with million in losses and destroying between generated an enormous amount of tertiary tool, dubbed PhotosynQ, is in the final the barriers to getting the instruments and N 350,000 and 450,000 apple and cherry trees. unpredictable weather data that has led to new potential uses. stages of development by David Kramer, the data out there to people.” The disease broke out and spread rapidly. MSU Hannah distinguished professor in By combining research from plant pathology, patterns, changing economic Growers spent much of the following years “I looked at this huge amount of collateral photosynthesis and bioenergetics. The plant genetics and human medicine with replanting and restoring their orchards. Last data we had on all these different species circumstances, and a dynamic PhotosynQ system is composed of two cutting-edge technology, the MSU team is year an outbreak of white mold in Michigan and asked, ‘Are there any alternative uses equally important components: pushing the boundaries of what is possible in and diverse population of pests soybeans destroyed approximately $50 for this?’” said Day, associate professor and A handheld device, called MultispeQ, that plant epidemiology. Predicting the next plant million worth of crops. associate department chair for research in the bent on devouring their crops MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial allows the user to collect data on plant and epidemic could have far-reaching benefits — they also face the perennial Developing technology to ensure that Sciences. “Plant pathogens cause about $60 soil health. across agriculture. growers have the capability to fight the billion in losses each year in the U.S. alone. PhotosynQ proper, a web-based database “Here at MSU, we’re working on deploying issue of plant diseases. The next such epidemic has been the subject Being able to understand where they come where users from all over the world can next-generation nanotechnology for the diseases are spread by a wide of ongoing research at Michigan State ABOVE: Brad Day, MSU Department of Plant from and how they spread would be a major upload the information scanned with their detection of plant pathogens. That’s really University (MSU) and in agriculture and Pathology. accomplishment.” cool,” Day said. “This is a way to not only range of pathogens — including natural resources programs around the MultispeQ devices. Day, whose work is primarily focused on combat disease but to make our data OPPOSITE: The MultispeQ device is capable fungi, bacteria, nematodes and country. Now, MSU researchers from human “PhotosynQ can collect information that of taking a wide range of readings on a plant. medicine, plant genetics and plant pathology fundamental lab research, needs help to people are taking globally, and we can use accessible regardless of geography. It’s a great Uploaded to PhotosynQ, the data could help viruses — and the potential deploy that data in the field. opportunity.” predict the next major plant epidemic. have joined forces to adapt the latest that to see where incidences of plant disease Photos: MSU CABS damage is alarming. technology for tracking and predicting the Evangelyn Alocilja, professor in the MSU are occurring,” Day explained. “Sitting here

By combining research from plant pathology, plant genetics and human medicine with cutting-edge technology, the MSU team is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in plant epidemiology. 30 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 31 ENHANCING PROFITABILITY ENHANCING PROFITABILITY

McCole’s research team is working to help have an impact on consumers’ willingness Minnesota and Wisconsin. Furthermore, Market research vineyard owners find new wine grapes with to pay. MDARD has requested that the study be reveals why the hardiness to withstand the effects of The cold-hardy grape research is just one conducted again next year to provide an extreme cold and the capability of pleasing example of how McCole is helping the update. wine consumers. consumers are winery industry as a whole. Most Michigan The long-term sustainability of the drawn to wineries “There have been a number of viticultural wineries, in contrast with their counterparts winery industry is of crucial importance advances that allow vineyards to produce in California, are small operations, primarily to Michigan communities, McCole in Michigan hybrid wine grapes that can survive harsher selling from tasting rooms rather than major pointed out. weather and ripen in the course of a shorter retail outlets. Most simply cannot afford to “Wine is a great example of how growing season,” said McCole, an associate engage in lengthy, detailed market research. communities can be more sustainable,” he professor in the MSU Department of McCole and his team stepped in to help said. “Wine grapes are in growing demand. Community Sustainability. “We are doing the state’s wineries better understand their The processing is usually done locally, a study now to learn more about consumer customers. preferences for wines made with these creating jobs in the communities that A number of important characteristics cold-hardy grapes so that wineries can make grow them, and wineries attract tourists, data-based decisions about which grapes about Michigan winery customers emerged which create other complimentary business they use in their winemaking.” from this work, some surprising. For opportunities such as breweries and art example, most customers are casual drinkers galleries. Suddenly you have a vibrant To do this, McCole and his team hit the road, without extensive background knowledge community that retains its young people and traveling to a number of wineries featuring about wines. They are drawn less by the continues to grow.” wine made from cold-hardy Marquette desire to test their refined palettes than The winery industry is expanding not only Grand Traverse counties in the north to grapes. Marquette is a hybridization of by the enjoyable atmosphere or the social n 1980, Michigan was home in Michigan but around the country. Since Berrien and Van Buren counties in the south. pinot noir and the American native grape experience of wine tasting. to 10 wineries and just The recent proliferation of wineries and Vitis riparia, developed at the University of 1940, it has expanded from 1,000 locations over 200 acres of vineyard vineyards, however, has brought wine and Minnesota in 2006. McCole’s team wanted “This is an important finding because, to more than 8,000 with no indication of I grape production to statewide prominence. to study consumers’ willingness to pay for though winery owners are reading stories slowing down in the near future. about wine drinkers in trade magazines, land. Today, those numbers Though the industry ranks fourth in wines made from Marquette to determine “Tourism and travel have great potential these aren’t their tasting-room customers,” the United States in economic impact, market viability. Presenting visitors with to help communities,” McCole said. “It have skyrocketed to more than McCole said. “Our wineries need to focus challenges remain. Dan McCole, Michigan four different Marquette wines, the team helps diversify local economies and gives on the aspect that their customers find the 200 wineries and nearly 3,000 State University (MSU) AgBioResearch began by asking participants to estimate communities a reason to protect their most important — the experience of the acres dedicated to wine grape tourism and sustainability researcher, is how much they would be willing to pay natural resources, but that’s not the whole per bottle on the basis of appearance and visit itself.” working to help overcome some of the picture. There is so much research to aroma. After that, they were given a sample production, representing more issues. The data allowed McCole to better show that traveling together strengthens and asked to amend their estimates on the The harsh winter of 2013-14 exacted a toll understand the economic impact of wine relationships and families. In our busy lives, than $790 million in annual basis of taste. Finally, the team informed on Michigan’s vineyards. Near-total ice cover tourism in the context of other wine-related where everyone has a device in their hand ABOVE: Dan McCole, MSU Department of the participants of Marquette’s potential production value. on Lake Michigan dramatically reduced activities, such as winemaking and grape and a thousand demands on their time, Community Sustainability. value to the industry as a cold-hardy grape, grape yields and inhibited the growth production. This study has helped the vacations and day trips to places like a The center of Michigan’s after which they were asked to make a final OPPOSITE: Wineries play an important role in and development of high-quality fruit. Michigan Department of Agriculture and winery are often a rare chance to spend time adjustment to their estimates. Michigan’s booming tourism industry. An MSU viticultural production lies According to some estimates, Michigan Rural Development (MDARD) incorporate together.” research team has conducted intensive market grape growers lost 50 percent of their crop. Though the study is not yet complete, the importance of wine tourism in its research and produced data to help Michigan along the Lake Michigan wineries better understand the needs of their Through a four-year project sponsored preliminary results suggest that information planning. McCole’s team is now working clientele. Photos: MSU CABS shoreline, from Leelanau and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about the grape’s value to the industry does to replicate and validate this study in

“Tourism and travel have great potential to help communities. It helps diversify local economies and gives communities a reason to protect their natural resources ...” — Dan McCole 32 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 33 ENHANCING PROFITABILITY ENHANCING PROFITABILITY

s the eighth largest dairy-producing state in the country*, Following the discoveries made by the herds in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, commercial farms. THE SAME Michigan is home to more than 400,000 dairy cows Human Genome Project, which had Florida, Maryland, Virginia, New York, The results of their combined efforts will numerous implications for animal science, Alberta, Scotland and the Netherlands. The reduce feed costs without sacrificing spread across farms with herds numbering less than 100 livestock breeders have begun taking team identified which animals ate less than FOR LESS: production. A advantage of the wealth of dairy cow expected, on the basis of their production, up to thousands. Feeding such a large number of animals is a “Though it’s difficult to put a dollar figure Genetic science genetic information to select bulls capable and took genetic samples for analysis. Most challenging task. With each animal eating approximately $5 in of passing along to their progeny desirable samples were analyzed by industry partner on it at this point, we have seen results holds the key to feed every day, Michigan dairy farmers spend over $730 million traits such as size, milk production and GeneSeek (a subsidiary of the Lansing- from an Australian team that did a similar project,” VandeHaar said. “We think it is better feed efficiency each year to keep their herds well-nourished and to produce disease resistance. Being able to genetically based Neogen Corporation), and the data select bulls for feed efficiency, however, has were submitted to the USDA Animal reasonable that we could reduce feed costs by 50 cents per cow per day, which, if you in dairy cattle enough milk to meet consumer demand. been comparatively more difficult. Because Improvement Laboratory in Beltsville, can do that for all the cows on a farm for cows on commercial dairy farms are fed in Maryland, where much of the genomic data , Michigan State University (MSU) a year, adds up to some pretty significant Michael VandeHaar groups, acquiring data on how much an on the U.S. dairy herd is kept. The lab staff savings.” AgBioResearch livestock nutritionist, and his colleagues are individual animal consumes has been nearly processes the samples and sends VandeHaar working to bring that cost down by combining genomics and impossible. and Tempelman the list of individual Though the numerous other traits used by elements, called single-nucleotide breeders to select bulls will continue to nutrition science to breed cows that require less food to produce “Genomics will now allow us to do just that,” said VandeHaar, professor of dairy polymorphisms (SNPs), that make up each be important, VandeHaar and his team are the same volume of milk. nutrition and metabolism in the MSU animal’s genome. The team can then analyze adding one more tool to their toolbox. Department of Animal Science. “We can those SNPs through statistical modeling “Breeders must still select for the cows that study the DNA of cows in university dairy to determine which are related to feed produce the most milk — that’s not going herds and look for genetic markers for feed efficiency. away,” VandeHaar said. “We’re adding an efficiency and deliver that information to The team has genotyped 5,000 of the additional trait that can help them select for the industry.” cows so far and is currently analyzing the the most efficient cows — cows that will In 2010, VandeHaar and fellow MSU remaining animals, as well as collecting feed reduce their feed costs.” AgBioResearch scientist Rob Tempelman intake data on 1,000 more cows. Once the VandeHaar predicts that their results will — with research partners at the University process is complete, they will have a final be ready for industry-wide implementation of Wisconsin-Madison, Iowa State equation for feed efficiency that they can within two years. University, the University of Florida, pass on to the industry. “The day is coming when the genetic values Virginia Tech and Wageningen University VandeHaar’s colleagues in Wisconsin are for feed efficiency we found will be included in the Netherlands — were awarded a $5 developing extension and educational in the bull selection process,” he said. “That million grant from the U.S. Department RIGHT: In order to ascertain which genetic tools to communicate their findings to is going to make a difference in the dairy of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute markers corresponded to feed efficiency, an breeders, producers and dairy nutritionists. industry, and to know our group was a part MSU research team has collected feed intake of Food and Agriculture to find genetic In addition to communicating the new data from dairy herds not only at MSU, but from of that is incredibly fulfilling.” markers for feed efficiency. Five years later, information uncovered on cow genetics, across the United States, Canada, the United *According to the USDA National Agricultural Kingdom and the Netherlands. as the project nears conclusion, success is the team’s extension plans also include Statistics Service. well within their grasp. providing the industry with a state-of- OPPOSITE: Michael VandeHaar, MSU Department of Animal Science. VandeHaar and his colleagues collected feed the-art web-based tool to analyze feed Photos: MSU CABS intake data from 7,000 cows from university efficiency and grouping practices on

“We think it is reasonable that we could reduce feed costs by 50 cents per cow per day ...” — Michael VandeHaar

34 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 35 ENHANCING PROFITABILITY ENHANCING PROFITABILITY

can reduce the application of those inputs, compounds,” Fernandez said. “All of those growers,” said Behe, MSU professor of REDUCE, remediate the water so that it isn’t carrying elements are used by microorganisms horticultural marketing. “Everyone in the anything that could be environmentally as food sources, so if we run the water channel of distribution benefits from an hazardous and ultimately recycle it back containing those compounds through their understanding of consumer behavior.” REUSE, habitat, they’ll break down and metabolize through the nursery.” Behe uses eye-tracking technology, which them into a nontoxic form.” Fernandez and fellow MSU AgBioResearch employs infrared light to follow the motion REMEDIATE: scientists Bert Cregg and Bridget Cregg is studying the impact of the of a subject’s pupils, to determine which Behe are part of Clean WateR3, a multi- technologies on nursery plant health and parts of a product display consumers look Helping nurseries institutional research partnership founded growth. at most. in 2008 through a U.S. Department of “We’re approaching this from a fairly basic “Our eye movement is deliberate and task- get the most out Agriculture Specialty Crops Research plant health perspective,” said Cregg, specific,” Behe said. “You look at things of their water Initiative grant to help greenhouse and associate professor in the MSU Department differently depending on whether you are nursery growers use water efficiently and of Horticulture. “Our main concern is the driving a car, looking at a work of art or sustainably. By combining technological, impact that recycled water could have on deciding what type of plant to buy. With pathological and marketing expertise, plant growth and whether the fertilizer or the eye tracker, we can see who is looking the team is working to create a system pesticide chemicals it might bring will have at a piece of information and how they are rom flowers to Christmas trees, nursery plants are big that benefits growers, consumers and the a negative impact on them.” looking at it, and relate that to whether environment. business for Michigan — they’re the basis for a $1.2 While Fernandez’s team collects runoff, they decide to make a purchase.” Fernandez and his students are Cregg will study the impact of that water * By studying how consumers read billion industry that accounts for more than 36,000 jobs. conducting experiments on nursery beds on the plants grown in the nursery beds, plant displays that highlight water use F to determine the efficiency and impact of comparing the water treated through Maintaining enough plants to meet consumer demand requires information, Behe can begin to understand various irrigation techniques. The beds remediation techniques to that of untreated a lot of water, and providing water carries costs to both the how important it is to the economic are designed so that runoff water can be water. success of nurseries and greenhouses. This environment and the grower. captured on the surface and approximately “We’re looking for changes in large-scale is important to many states, especially 1 foot below. The volumes of pesticide and plant characteristics such as growth, where water use is tightly regulated. Many nurseries grow plants in containers years, most notably the toxic algal blooms fertilizer are then assessed. The team will coloration and rates of photosynthesis,” “Most nurseries today are not wasteful,” — pots or baskets that restrict the in Lake Erie near Toledo in 2014. compare the chemical and physical impact Cregg said. “The best case is that we don’t of 10 common nursery pesticides, and Behe said. “We’re trying to understand sprawl of roots and allow plants to be A team of researchers from Michigan find anything — that’s good news for determine the minimal level of necessary how to help them tell that story to their efficiently stocked and sold. An unintended State University (MSU) AgBioResearch is growers. On the other hand, if we find a irrigation. customers in more effective ways.” consequence of this approach, however, working to address both the environmental problem now, that means we can work Improving the capacity for recycling and is that such plants need more water and and financial concerns by developing a Reducing the volume of inputs is to adapt the technology to address that fertilizing nutrients to keep them healthy system to purify and recycle water and important, but remediating those already problem now so that growers don’t have to.” remediating water has numerous potential benefits. ABOVE: In order to keep plants healthy and than those grown in the ground. fertilizers. present is of equal significance. Fernandez Behe is studying how consumers marketable, nurseries must frequently irrigate is testing several subsurface bioreactor incorporate information about the water “It’s been very satisfying in the past few container plants and administer fertilizers. The inputs also increase the potential for “One of the main challenges that container systems — layers of organic material such usage and sustainability of greenhouse and years to see that we can substantially An MSU research team is working to develop pollution in the form of runoff. Excess nurseries face is that they use a lot of inputs as woodchips or bark — deposited beneath ways to remediate and recycle those resources water can wash out of the nursery and into that are concentrated in a small area, which nursery products into their purchasing reduce the amount of water and nutrients in an effort to reduce costs and environmental lakes, rivers or groundwater, carrying the is an almost ideal scenario for runoff,” said the growing surface to naturally cleanse decisions. that move off-site, and now — through this impacts. Photo: Thinkstock runoff water of chemical impurities. phosphorus- and nitrogen-rich fertilizer Tom Fernandez, associate professor in the “My whole research program has been project — we have the chance to improve on that further,” Fernandez said. OPPOSITE: Bert Cregg, MSU Department of with it. Such runoff has been the basis of MSU Department of Horticulture. “What “When you look at pesticides and positioned to provide information on the Horticulture. Photo: MSU CABS significant environmental hazards in recent we want to do is look for ways that they fertilizers, they’re all made of organic consumer to small, medium and large * Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association

By combining technological, pathological and marketing expertise, the team is working to create a system that benefits growers, consumers and the environment. 36 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 37 FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY

or other organs like our heart and blood study the health impacts of air pollutants. speculated that such particle-driven health THE AIR WE vessels. Each center has a distinctive focus within effects could potentially have detrimental Airborne particulates are defined according this research area. GLACIER focuses on consequences in people suffering from BREATHE: to their size into three basic categories: understanding the health effects of air chronic heart disease. coarse, fine and ultrafine. Fine particles pollutant mixtures, especially in susceptible “We’re now finding, like other laboratories, range in size from 2.5 to 0.1 microns in populations like those suffering from that air pollution affects many other organ Studying the diameter, and ultrafine particles are less chronic cardiovascular, respiratory or systems in the body and may exacerbate impact of air than a tenth of a micron in diameter. Both metabolic conditions. pre-existing chronic diseases, such as are invisible to the naked eye and even the Though much of their work has focused diabetes and obesity,” said Harkema. pollution in rural largest size of fine particles are still 30 times on urban air pollution — primarily in “Originally, for example, we thought less than the diameter of a human hair. communities in and around Detroit cigarette smoke caused only lung cancer, environments The larger coarse particles with diameters — recent research has shifted to rural but we’ve since learned that it also greater than 2.5 microns and smaller than 10 environments. contributes to breast cancer, coronary microns are common to rural atmospheres. Air pollution can be simulated to a degree heart disease and other systemic problems. Fine and ultrafine particles are commonly in the laboratory, but collecting data in the I think particulate matter could work in a emitted by automobiles, power plants and field provides a much clearer picture of the similar way.” industries, while coarse particles are more conditions that people are likely to face. As areas of the developing world continue likely to originate from organic compounds Boarding semi-trucks converted into high- to scale up their agricultural industries, commonly found in the earth’s crust. tech mobile laboratories, Harkema’s team Harkema said coarse particulate matter will “In agricultural settings, you see some of traveled to Dexter, Michigan, an agricultural only become a more serious environmental ir pollution is a pollution plays a role in 3.7 million the highest airborne concentrations of community west of Ann Arbor, to study issue. Fortunately, scientists like Harkema premature deaths each year, according particulate matter due to dusty conditions the effects of coarse particle exposure on are working to find ways to mitigate its well-known, much- to 2012 data from the World Health generated by common agricultural heart rate and blood pressure in healthy adverse health effects. Every five years, the documented problem Organization. Contrary to the popular practices,” said Harkema, university individuals. EPA conducts a review of all of the data on distinguished professor in the MSU College air pollution and its health effects, updating A portrayal, however, the effects of air Harkema’s long-time collaborator Robert of Veterinary Medicine and the Institute its standards accordingly. Brook and in the industrialized world. pollution are not limited to urban Brook, a cardiologist in the School of for Integrative Toxicology. “A lot of people Harkema’s recent findings on particulate Those who do not live in environments. Michigan State University Medicine at the University of Michigan, think air pollution is just an urban issue, but air pollution will help it set the air quality (MSU) AgBioResearch toxicologist Jack was the principal investigator of the study major cities see media images we now know that it causes real problems standard for particulate matter that is studying the impacts of air in Dexter. Together, Brook and Harkema Harkema in rural settings, too.” aims to protect the health of susceptible of thick, dirty air and crowded pollution on rural populations. coauthored a seminal scientific paper, Harkema’s work in this area blossomed in reporting for the first time that brief populations. streets of people wearing Air pollution is a mixture of elevated 2011, when an $8 million grant from the exposures to real-world coarse particulate “We’re now trying to understand how ABOVE: Agricultural settings have been shown masks over their noses and concentrations of potentially harmful U.S. Environmental Protection Agency matter in a rural community can cause exposure to small amounts of fine and to have some of the highest concentrations gaseous chemicals, like ozone and (EPA) established the Great Lakes Air elevations in heart rate and blood. These coarse particles triggers alterations in blood of particulate matter in the air, due to dusty mouths. nitrogen dioxide, and very small particles conditions. Photo: Thinkstock Center for Integrated Environmental effects on the cardiovascular system were pressure and heart rate,” said Harkema. (particulate matter or particulates) that Linked to increases in heart Research (GLACIER). Combining the similar to those they found in human “This is not just a small regional problem, OPPOSITE: Jack Harkema, MSU Department of result from emissions from both human multidisciplinary expertise of researchers subjects after short-term exposure to fine it’s worldwide. The work we do here has an Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation with an disease, respiratory disease, sources, like motor vehicles or industrial from MSU, the University of Michigan, particles in an urban industrial community impact on protecting human health in urban MSU mobile air quality laboratory near Dexter, smoke stacks, and natural sources, like Ohio State University and the University near Detroit. Though these cardiovascular and rural communities around the world Mich. The lab monitors air pollution in the area, an lung cancer and a host of agricultural community near Ann Arbor. wildfires or volcanoes. If inhaled these of Maryland, GLACIER is one of four EPA changes did not compromise the health of through better air quality standards and Photo: MSU CABS other health complications, air pollutants may cause injury to our lungs Clean Air Research Centers established to these healthy subjects, the investigators guidelines based on sound science.”

Air pollution can be simulated to a degree in the laboratory, but collecting data in the field provides a much clearer picture of the conditions that people are likely to face. 38 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 39 FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY

ore than one-third of adults and one in six children in Working with Mildred Horodynski, a compare the growth of infants whose mothers “This research addresses a very practical, Providing tools to professor in the MSU College of Nursing and received the nutrition information with those the United States are obese, according to the Centers real-world problem — the obesity epidemic,” low-income teen an expert on childhood nutrition, Silk has in the control group whose mothers did not. Silk said. “But it also provides support for for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity is linked created the Tools for Teen Moms project. The Mothers were recruited from four counties in teen moms who oftentimes don’t have great moms to help M initiative is aimed at 80 low-income first-time support systems. Many aren’t living at home; to a multitude of health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, Michigan — Genesee, Ingham, Jackson and teen moms. some of them are even living in group homes prevent childhood diabetes and many types of cancer. Estimates of the annual Kent — with assistance from the Maternal “Compared with older parents, teens are Infant Health Program (MIHP) in Michigan. with their children. Being a teen mom can be obesity medical cost of obesity in the United States top $147 billion. more likely to introduce solid foods too soon,” MIHP is Michigan’s largest program for isolating. This project is providing them with a community of support and information to Individuals who come from low socioeconomic backgrounds may Silk said. “They are also more likely not to Medicaid-eligible pregnant women, with breast-feed. Overall, they are more likely to 150 locations statewide that promote healthy help their infants grow into healthy children.” be more likely to struggle with their weight for several reasons, engage in unhealthy infant feeding practices pregnancies and infants. The organization including a lack of access to nutrition information. Kami Silk, that can lead to obesity. Infants who are provides home visitation to mothers and overweight are more likely to be children who coordinates care through Medicaid. Silk said the associate dean of research for the College of Communication are overweight, and that cycle continues into the recruiting partnership with MIHP has Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU), is adulthood. There are lots of programs out been invaluable, and she and Horodynski examining the beginning stages of life. She is studying the there that encourage healthy infant feeding hope to expand their project to increase the habits, but we are using technology to reach dissemination of information for teen moms. relationship between obesity in infants and their mothers’ access these girls.” “A lot of people, particularly adolescents, to information on appropriate feeding practices. A technology platform developed by Gary use technology in recreational and perhaps Hsieh, a former MSU assistant professor superficial ways,” Silk said. “Tools for Teen in telecommunications now with the Moms has a very functional purpose. It’s a University of Washington, delivers daily great example of doing something that is text messages to the teen mothers over six both entertaining and educational. If we can weeks. Communications include tips — demonstrate that it helps young moms engage from messages such as putting down a cell in healthy infant feeding practices, that’s a phone while feeding the child to behavior huge impact. There’s scalability in this project suggestions — as well as knowledge quizzes to implement it on a much larger level.” and nutrition recommendations. A web Retention of mothers for the project has been component is also available, allowing mothers good, which Silk notes as an indicator of high- to pose questions to nutrition experts. RIGHT: An MSU study is researching the level engagement. No intensive data analysis relationship between obesity in infants and The project is in its second year and is funded has been completed yet, but researchers their teen mothers’ access to information on by the National Institutes of Health and MSU are hopeful that their observations will appropriate feeding practices. The moms are AgBioResearch. Information is collected from match the numbers. Final height and weight provided daily text messages for a period of six weeks. Communications include tips, knowledge surveys with mothers, analytics from the measurements of infants will be taken in quizzes and nutrition recommendations. web platform and anthropometric measures spring 2016. If results show the project has Photo: Courtesy of Kami Silk such as the baby’s height and weight at been successful, the Tools for Teen Moms

OPPOSITE: Kami Silk, MSU College of baseline, three months and six months. Silk team will begin applying for grants to Communication Arts and Sciences. and Horodynski will analyze the data and broaden its reach.

“Infants who are overweight are more likely to be children who are overweight, and that cycle continues into adulthood.” — Kami Silk 40 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 41 FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY

Lapinski, a communication scientist in the here in Michigan,” Lapinski said. “What we not cooperate. In the third phase, we took Studying monetary Department of Communication, and Kerr, a know from financial research is that once that payment away.” incentive programs researcher with a focus on economics from you start incentivizing certain behavior with Lapinski is unsure if the findings from the the Department of Community Sustainability, money, it can change the way people think initial experiments at MSU will translate to and their impact on have been working on a project in about that behavior. We know that money China. Sanjiangyuan, China, a region in the Qinghai can erode psychological motivation and social norms Province on the Tibetan Plateau. Alongside attitudes, but we know less about how money “One of the things we found in the first Jinhua Zhao, an MSU AgBioResearch can change the whole social system and what experiments was that financial incentives can scientist and researcher in the Department of we call social norms.” erode the power of norms,” Lapinski said. “In other words, we sometimes feel pressure to Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Phase two of the project involves household do what others are doing, but when financial they are studying how financial incentive surveys that yield quantitative data, such incentives are involved, that tends to be less programs influence behavior and social as measures of social norms and responses of a factor in decision making. One of the norms. to hypothetical scenarios, as well as income interesting things about the next phase is that The location of the project was determined and education levels. The data will represent we’re taking this to a new culture. We aren’t when Zhao introduced Lapinski and Kerr to how social norms, coupled with financial sure if we’ll find the same things, but we have Lu Zhi, a professor of conservation biology at incentives, affect conservation behaviors, with some insights into what can happen. nvironmental Why do some view protecting natural Peking University in China. Zhi is the founder a particular focus on grazing management “If there is money from a government entity or conservation has been resources as an important part of their of the Shan Shui Conservation Center and and protection against illegal hunting. Data is cultural identity, even without financial a world-renowned giant panda and snow being collected currently. a nonprofit, it will run out, so what happens a controversial issue then? Our prediction is that if you introduce incentives? What happens to other reasons leopard researcher. Sanjiangyuan will soon In the summer of 2016, the final phase, which E a financial incentive, it will erode positive around the world for decades. for environmental protection when financial be a part of China’s payment for ecosystems includes field experiments, will take place. social norms once that incentive is taken incentives are introduced? What are the services program. It is ecologically important These studies will simulate the introduction Attitudes and opinions on the away. That’s what we’re looking at and what long-term impacts on the social system when because it holds the headwaters of Asia’s three of financial incentive programs while importance of conservation vary, we want to include in our experiments next the incentive money runs out? These are largest rivers: the Yellow, the Yangtze and the accounting for cultural context and social summer. Then we can take the last step and in large part, because of unique questions that Michigan State University Mekong. norms about herding and illegal hunting. (MSU) AgBioResearch scientists Maria think about how payment programs can cultural differences. To combat Close to 1 million people inhabit the region, “In the experiment phase, we want to really Lapinski, John Kerr and Jinhua Zhao want be designed to avoid ruining existing social with roughly 90 percent being ethnic understand how they feel about conservation environmental challenges, to answer. norms.” Tibetans and having a strong tie with Tibetan and how that changes when an incentive The project is funded by the National Science governments have introduced “We come at this project in very different Buddhism. Interviews conducted by the program is introduced,” Kerr said. “We Foundation’s Interdisciplinary Behavioral a number of financial incentive ways, so we’ve had to develop an project team found that inhabitants have started the project with experiments on ABOVE: Interviewers on the Tibetan Plateau depended on herding sheep and yaks for and Social Sciences Research competition, found that inhabitants have depended on herding interdisciplinary model that encompasses a campus with MSU students dealing with programs for those who in addition to the Sustainable Michigan sheep and yaks for years, which, along with number of variables,” Kerr said. “The turning years, which, along with their cultural beliefs, cooperation. Individuals were placed in a their cultural beliefs, has created a desire to live Endowed Partnership at MSU. participate in protecting nature. point of the project was a three-day retreat, has created a desire to live harmoniously with group setting with four people and put in a harmoniously with nature. MSU researchers are nature. This was found in the first phase of trying to determine whether incentive programs These initiatives were created where the team tried to take a look at finding scenario where they have to take an action the project, which included interviews with erode these reasons for conservation. to preserve the environment, a way to serve all of our interests. That’s when that is best for them or best for the group. Photo: Courtesy of Maria Lapinski we began developing a model that takes the 80 nomadic herders. We introduced variables in the second phase, but they don’t come without OPPOSITE: John Kerr, MSU Department of social, economic and environmental factors “These payments for ecosystems services such as adding an incentive to cooperate that Community Sustainability. questions. into account.” happen all over the world, including right made it at least as beneficial to cooperate as

The data will represent how social norms, coupled with financial incentives, affect conservation behaviors, with a particular focus on grazing management and protection against illegal hunting. 42 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 43 FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY

In 1558, Venetian nobleman Luigi Cornaro about half the time of the non-restricted implications for human health because a LOOSENING first wrote about the virtues of dietary animals. In every circumstance, there wasn’t lot of the patients who are hospitalized restriction as a means of improving health a calorie-restricted animal that lived longer.” with the flu are older, thinner people. THE BELT: and increasing lifespan. In the intervening Troubled by the results, Gardner began Someone with less body mass is much more centuries, many scientists have investigated investigating the cause. The four- to six-day susceptible to the worst effects of the flu.” Fighting influenza this claim, which has lately reemerged window during which the mice succumbed With support from the National Institute as “calorie restriction.” As a nutritional constituted the time during which the on Aging, Gardner and her lab have been with higher paradigm, calorie restriction has been body’s primary immune response — the conducting studies on mitigating the effects calorie diets shown to improve the health and longevity general response, before the body develops of the flu on calorie-restricted subjects. For of animals in a laboratory setting. In a pathogen-specific counterattack — is the next round of experiments, they fed this scenario, calories are simultaneously battling the illness. During this phase, the calorie-restricted mice a higher calorie diet reduced while significant amounts of key body’s primary defense against the virus for two weeks prior to inoculating them nutrients are delivered through vitamin is the natural killer (NK) cells, a type of with the flu virus. NK cells are known and mineral supplements. Experiments white blood cell that can identify and to perform poorly under reduced-caloric conducted on numerous species, from target infections without the presence of conditions, and Gardner hoped that by drosophila fruit flies to non-human antibodies. Gardner discovered that, in increasing calorie intake, she could bolster primates, have shown continual support mice under calorie restriction, both the their effectiveness. for the method. A 2-year human trial is in numbers and the functionality of NK cells The findings were starkly different from progress. Recent findings, however, have are diminished. This loss was correlated to those of the original experiment. The mice shown that calorie restriction does not diminishing body mass brought on by one of that were given more expansive diets prior affect all parameters of health positively. the flu’s most common symptoms, anorexia. very year, the World Health Organization estimates that to infection showed NK cells in higher The aging benefits of calorie restriction Though most commonly associated with numbers and with greater efficacy to allow between 250,000 and 500,000 people are killed by seasonal have largely been shown to be linked to its the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, them to survive. ability to increase immunity. Mice under a anorexia generally refers to any decreased influenza, or flu, epidemics, with another 3 million to 5 Though increasing calorie intake E calorie-restricted diet show significantly sensation of appetite. Loss of appetite is a immediately before contracting the flu was million developing severe cases that warrant hospitalization. less incidence of tumors and respond better common symptom of the flu, and mice are shown to improve the chances of recovering, Though the virus cuts across every demographic, the very young, to other age-related problems. It was also no exception. Shortly after infection, the that approach isn’t practical. elderly and chronically ill remain at the greatest risk. reported that calorie restriction improved mice stopped eating. Both calorie-restricted the immune response to the flu vaccine. and non-restricted mice lost body weight “Unlike in the experiment, we have no idea ABOVE: NK cells are among the body’s first Making matters worse, common flu vaccines lack the same “We had the hypothesis that calorie as a result, but the non-restricted mice when precisely we’ll get the flu,” Gardner lines of defense against infection, able to had enough mass initially to hang on and said. “We do, however, know when flu identify threats and respond long before effectiveness in those at-risk groups compared with other restriction could be a simple dietary season is. If you are on a calorie-restricted specific antibodies can be formed. The intervention to improve the immune eventually begin fighting the infection. The efficacy of NK cells is diminished under calorie segments of the population. In a continued effort to reduce the response to flu,” Gardner said. “Back in 1996, calorie-restricted mice, having less mass to diet, bumping up your calorie intake by restriction, which leaves the body more start with, simply lost too much. For older about 10 percent during the four months of susceptible to diseases like influenza. Photo common disease’s impact, Michigan State University (MSU) I started a study that took both young and mice, mortality came even more quickly. flu season ensures that you have adequate courtesy of Elizabeth Gardner. AgBioResearch nutritional immunologist Elizabeth Gardner is aged mice and infected them with flu virus. To my surprise and dismay, we found that “We started to look at how we could caloric stores to maintain your ability to OPPOSITE: Elizabeth Gardner, MSU developing a novel approach: during flu season, slacken dietary fight the disease.” Department of Food Science and Human the calorie-restricted animals died within address this from a nutritional perspective,” Nutrition. Photo: MSU CABS restrictions and eat a few more calories. four to six days after infection, which was Gardner said. “This finding had particular

“This finding had particular implications for human health because a lot of the patients who are hospitalized with the flu are older, thinner people.” — Elizabeth Gardner 44 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 45 MSU AgBioResearch CENTERS MSU AgBioResearch - 2015 NEWS IN REVIEW (Continued from page 3.)

Grant to help global hunger, food security

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded David Kramer, MSU’s John Hannah Distinguished Professor in Michigan State University a $5.8 million cooperative agreement to Photosynthesis and Bioenergetics at the MSU-DOE Plant Research improve potato production in Bangladesh and Indonesia. The grant Laboratory, says that the overall goal of the partnership is to improve supports USAID’s work under Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s the efficiency of photosynthesis in microalgae to produce biofuels global hunger and food security initiative. and bioproducts.

As part of the Feed the Future Biotechnology Partnership Project, MSU will partner with the University of Minnesota and Fellow of Soil Sciences Society of America announced DUNBAR FOREST UPPER PENINSULA RESEARCH 2 Idaho-based J.R. Simplot Comp., along with in-country partners in Michigan State University Geological Sciences professor 11 Sault Ste. Marie Bruno Basso AND EXTENSION CENTER both Bangladesh and Indonesia, to make improved potato varieties Chatham was elected a 2016 Fellow of the Soil Science Society of America for available to smallholder farmers. Such varieties can help protect his contributions to agronomy through education, national and against yield loss and improve livelihoods for those who depend on international service and research. MSU FOREST BIOMASS the crop to survive. INNOVATION CENTER 6 Basso’s research integrates crop modeling with remote sensing and Escanaba unmanned aerial vehicles to understand variability of crop yield at Researcher named honorary citizen the field and landscape scale. Basso has participated as principal Michigan State University researcher investigator and co-principal investigator in several international Joan Rose was named an honorary citizen projects. He is the author of more than 150 scientific publications and NORTHWEST MICHIGAN of Singapore for her significant contributions holds an adjunct position at the Queensland University of Technology in 7 HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER Traverse City in developing a safe and sustainable water Australia. He is also a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy. system in the island nation.

For the last 14 years, Rose, Homer Nowlin EPA grant to examine 4 LAKE CITY RESEARCH CENTER Lake City Chair in Water Research, has worked with Joan Rose contaminants on fish researchers and government officials in Singapore to help build the A grant of $800,000 from the Environmental country’s water infrastructure and monitor water quality. Protection Agency will help a research team led by Michigan State University (MSU) determine

MONTCALM RESEARCH CENTER Grant to examine disease-resistant crops the effects of certain contaminants on fish. 5 SAGINAW VALLEY RESEARCH Lakeview 8 AND EXTENSION CENTER A national team of 20 scientists led by Michigan State University Specifically, the team will study contaminants’ Frankenmuth Cheryl Murphy Horticulture professor and AgBioResearch scientist Rebecca effects on the developing brains of larval fish, CLARKSVILLE RESEARCH CENTER Grumet has been awarded a $6.5 million grant to accelerate the in particular looking at behaviors that are important to survival, Clarksville 1 SOUTH CAMPUS FIELD development of disease-resistant cucurbit crops through leveraging such as finding food and avoiding predators, and which genes are RESEARCH FACILITIES East Lansing applied genomics. important in regulating these behaviors. TREVOR NICHOLS RESEARCH CENTER 10 Fennville The researchers will create a collaborative, national initiative to Cheryl Murphy, an associate professor of fisheries and wildlife and W. K. KELLOGG BIOLOGICAL STATION develop breeder-friendly genomic tools to help with the production MSU AgBioResearch scientist, is the lead on the project. 12 Hickory Corners of watermelon, melon, cucumber and squash. The grant was issued 13 W. K. KELLOGG EXPERIMENTAL FOREST Augusta by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and CRIS names director SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN RESEARCH 9 3 FRED RUSS FOREST Agriculture Specialty Crop Research Initiative. AND EXTENSION CENTER Decatur Michael P. Holsapple was named Benton Harbor Using genomics is the most cost effective as well as the most director of the Center for Research on environmentally-favorable solution to the problems of disease Ingredient Safety (CRIS) at Michigan State resistance since it allows growers to apply less fungicide. Cucurbit University (MSU). producers and processors consistently identify diseases as a primary CRIS is an independent, academic, science- constraint, causing severe reductions in yield, quality and profitability. based center within the Institute for Integrative For research center locations and contact information, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu/centers Toxicology. The mission of CRIS, working Michael Holsapple MSU, Exxon to work on algae-based fuels in collaboration with the MSU Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, is to serve as a reliable A new $1 million relationship between Michigan State University and unbiased source for information on the safe use of chemical (MSU) and ExxonMobil will expand research designed to progress ingredients in consumer packaged goods. the fundamental science required to advance algae-based fuels. With more than 30 years as a toxicologist and leader in academia,

46 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 47 MSU AgBioResearch 2015 NEWS IN REVIEW industry as well as in non-profit charitable organizations,Holsapple Researcher serves on White House forum MSU faculty honored for exceptional contributions The new MSU Foundation Professors are Christoph Benning, is uniquely-suited to lead MSU’s new center. He will be building on professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, C. Robin Bo Norby, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Michigan State University (MSU), with support from MSU’s internationally renowned knowledge base in food safety and Buell, professor of plant biology, Andrew Christlieb, professor associate professor of large animal clinical sciences, was selected the MSU Foundation, honored four faculty members with the toxicology. of mathematics and Dean DellaPenna, University Distinguished to attend the White House One Health Forum on Antibiotic designation of MSU Foundation Professor, in recognition of their Professor of biochemistry and molecular biology. All four are Holsapple, who has been an affiliate professor at MSU since Stewardship. exceptional contributions to research and instruction. faculty in the College of Natural Science. Benning, Buell and 1994, most recently served as the executive director for Global Bringing together key federal and private-sector stakeholders The professorships are part of an initiative to attract and retain DellaPenna are also MSU AgBioResearch scientists. Immunotoxicology at Covance Laboratories, Inc. He was also a involved in the development, promotion and implementation of highly successful faculty members. Each recipient typically senior research leader in systems toxicology at the Battelle Memorial antibiotic stewardship activities, the event looks to ensure the receives five years of supplemental research support and holds Institute in Columbus, Ohio. Researcher named NSF committee chair responsible use of antibiotics nationwide. the MSU Foundation Professor designation permanently. Katherine L. Gross, Michigan State University distinguished professor of plant biology and director of the W.K. Kellogg Plant Research Lab names new director Professor named founding editor-in-chief Biological Station, has been appointed chair of the Advisory Christoph Benning, Michigan State University professor of biochemistry Michigan State University (MSU) professor Patricia Soranno was Committee for Biological Sciences (BIO) of the National Science and molecular biology, will become the director of the Michigan named founding editor-in-chief of the Association for the Sciences Foundation (NSF). State University/ U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Plant Research of Limnology and Oceanography’s new journal, Limnology and The BIO advisory committee provides advice and Laboratory (PRL) beginning Aug. 16. He succeeds Michael Thomashow, Oceanography Letters. recommendations to the NSF on support for research, education University Distinguished Professor of plant, soil and microbial sciences, A professor in the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and human resources in the biological sciences. As the chair, and microbiology and molecular genetics. Thomashow has led the lab Soranno is a broadly trained aquatic ecologist. She has spent the Gross will serve as the lead liaison to the NSF Biological Sciences for the past nine years. past 20 years conducting research that integrates freshwater director and will oversee a committee of more than 20 members. Benning is one of the world’s foremost experts in plant lipid ecosystems into a landscape perspective from local to continental Committee members include representatives from many divisions metabolism. He led a collaborative effort with colleagues from the Great scales. Her research, which is supported by MSU AgBioResearch, of biology; a cross-section of institutions, including industry; Lakes Bioenergy Research Center that resulted in a significant early applies principles of landscape ecology and limnology to both basic (From left) Andrew Christlieb, Dean DellaPenna, C. Robin Buell and balanced representation of women and underrepresented step toward producing better plants for biofuels. He was named a fellow and applied problems in freshwater ecosystems. and Christoph Benning minorities. of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2014 Previously, Soranno has served as an associate editor for the journals and was recently named an MSU Foundation Professor in recognition of Ecosystems, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Scientific his exceptional contributions to research and instruction. Data and GigaScience. The PRL brings together experimental biologists to foster the development of cooperative research programs involving Researcher elected to the NAS multidisciplinary approaches. It is dedicated to answering fundamental A professor at Michigan State University (MSU) and a leading MSU questions in plant biology with the goal of providing a broad and AgBioResearch plant scientist has been elected to the National thorough scientific education in modern plant biology. The PRL is Academy of Sciences. MSU AgBioResearch 2015 PUBLICATIONS affiliated with the MSU College of Natural Science and seven MSU departments on campus through joint appointments of its faculty. Sheng-Yang He, an MSU Distinguished Professor in the MSU-DOE Futures Magazine Spring/Summer 2015 SPRING/SUMMER 2015 • Volume 33, Nos. 1 & 2

Plant Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology, Department spring/summer 2015 MSU AgBioResearch FUTURES Magazine 2015: International Year of Soils Grant to explore mint genome of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Department of Plant, Published twice annually, Futures Soil and Microbial Sciences, was selected as part of the 2016 is a free magazine that provides Did you know that in every handful of soil, there are approximately 7.3 billion Michigan State University (MSU) netted a $5.1 million National Science an in-depth look at research that living organisms? That’s an astonishing figure — one that oddly mirrors the SPARTAN BARLEY: 100-year-old seeds class. He earned the honor for his seminal contributions to the sprout in time for 2015: craft beer boom International

Foundation grant, led by MSU AgBioResearch plant biologist C. Robin is applying science in practical, world’s global population. Learn more about soil in this issue of Futures. The COVER CROPS: Year of Interest high, adoption low Soils understanding of plant-pathogen interactions. Buell, to explore the diverse world of mints. real-world ways that boost United Nations dubbed 2015 the “International Year of Soils” in an effort to Michigan’s economy, sustain the increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food Mints, or Lamiaceae, are the world’s sixth-largest family of flowering Scholar elected to society state’s natural resources and security and essential ecosystem functions. plants. If the secrets of this wide-ranging species can be unlocked, Sustainability scholar and University Distinguished Professor enhance people’s quality of life. mints can be improved and potentially new synthetic molecules and

Jianguo “Jack” Liu has become the first from Michigan State FALL/WINTER 2015-16 • Volume 33, Nos. 3 & 4 products may be developed. Fall/Winter 2015 - 2016 FALL/WINTER 2015-16-16 MSU AgBioResearch FUTURES Magazine University to be elected to the American Philosophical Society — SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE at: Debunking stereotypes: Empowering the next generation of scientists The in-depth study will map mints’ genome and identify key genes the oldest “learned society” in the United States. agbioresearch.msu.edu The iconic image of the mad scientist is etched in all of our memories, but is that drive their diversity. Mapping the genome will allow researchers The society, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, promotes useful that what people really think of scientists? Find out that answer and much more to identify evolutionary and developmental mechanisms that control knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in about the stereotypes science and scientists face in this issue of Futures. We growth and reproduction. It could also lead to the development of

scholarly research, professional meetings, publications, library touch on the role of scientists in the 21st century and how things will change, DEBUNKING synthetic molecules for new uses, such as new medicines, foods, STEREOTYPES Empowering the next resources, and community outreach. Liu, along with 33 others, was given the growing world population. generation of scientists fragrances and oils by mixing genes from different biochemical elected at the society’s semiannual meeting in Philadelphia. pathways.

48 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 49 FINANCIAL REPORT — 7-1-2014 — 6-30-2015 MSU AgBioResearch

DISTRIBUTION OF

APPROPRIATED PROJECT FUNDS EXPENSES 20.9% Director’s Office: Affiliated Deans: Frederik Derksen, Chairperson Department of Food Science and SALARY As of 1-7-2016 As of 1-7-2016 FRINGE Human Nutrition AND WAGES BENEFITS Douglas Buhler, Interim Dean 60.4% Douglas Buhler, Director Richard Kobe, Chairperson 18.7% College of Agriculture and Natural Resources CANR Interim Dean Department of Forestry Christopher P. Long, Dean George Smith, Associate Director Alan F. Arbogast, Chairperson College of Arts and Letters CANR Interim Associate Dean for Research Department of Geography INCOME: Prabu David, Dean Michael Jones, Assistant Director of William Vance Baird, Chairperson College of Communication Arts and Sciences Federal Appropriation Natural Resources Programs Department of Horticulture Leo Kempel, Dean Hatch $ 5,264,547 Amy E. Bonomi, Chairperson College of Engineering McIntire-Stennis $ 307,892 Department of Human Development and Carolyn Adams James R. Kirkpatrick, Dean Family Studies Hatch RRF $ 1,241,293 Research Support Coordinator College of Natural Science Hatch Animal and Disease, Section 1433 $ 99,023 Katherine Gross, Director Lori Bramble Total Federal Appropriations $ 6,912,755 Neal Schmitt, Interim Dean W. K. Kellogg Biological Station Research Support Coordinator College of Social Science State Appropriations $ 32,508,300 Charles Reid, Director James Dau Total Appropriations $ 39,421,055 John Baker, Dean Land Management Office Communications Coordinator College of Veterinary Medicine Grant – Federal, State and Private* $ 92,168,267 Daniel Grooms, Chairperson Jackie DeSander Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences TOTAL INCOME $ 131,589,322 Administrative Assistant Unit Administrators: Victor DiRita, Chairperson (UNITS RECEIVING FUNDING) EXPENSES: Tonia DuMont Department of Microbiology and Administrative Assistant As of 1-7-2016 Molecular Genetics Salaries $ 23,799,222 Linda Haubert Titus O. Awokuse, Chairperson Matthew W. McKeon, Chairperson Fringe Benefits $ 7,354,000 Projects Administrator Department of Agriculture Department of Philosophy Project Expenses $ 8,267,833 Food and Resource Economics James Kells, Chairperson, Grants – Federal, State and Private* $ 92,168,267 Bill Humphrey Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Research Support Coordinator Janice Swanson, Chairperson TOTAL EXPENSES $ 131,589,322 Department of Animal Science Susan Selke, Director Cameron Rudolph , Chairperson School of Packaging Communications Manager Thomas D. Sharkey PERSONNEL: Department of Biochemistry and Jennifer Thomas, Acting Chairperson Mary Weinzweig (Full-time equivalents funded from appropriated funds) Molecular Biology Department of Pathobiology and Business and Finance Manager Darrell Donahue, Chairperson Diagnostic Investigation Research Staff Holly Whetstone Department of Biosystems and C. Lee Cox, Chairperson Professors 53.79 Senior Communications Manager Agricultural Engineering Department of Physiology Associate Professors 29.11 Donald Morelli, Interim Chairperson Andrew M. Jarosz, Acting Chairperson Assistant Professors 10.13 Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Plant Biology Phone: 517.355.0123 Research Associates and Specialists 7.24 Materials Science Email: [email protected] Christoph Benning, Director TOTAL RESEARCH STAFF** 100.27 James Dearing, Chairperson MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory Department of Communication Steven Anderson, Director, Support Staff Michael Kaplowitz, Chairperson School of Social Work Administrative Professionals 38.87 Department of Community Sustainability Raymond A. Jussaume, Jr., Chairperson Supervisors 18.20 Mary Finn, Director Department of Sociology Clerical 13.24 School of Criminal Justice Johannes M. Bauer, Chairperson 2.39 Technicians F. William Ravlin, Chairperson Department of Media and Information Department of Entomology TOTAL SUPPORT STAFF 72.70 Jon Bartholic, Director Scott Winterstein, Chairperson *Grants are reported using most recent three-year average Institute of Water Research Department of Fisheries and Wildlife **Does not include department chairpersons and unit administrators

50 A G B I O R E S E A R C H 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 51 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

446 W. Circle Drive PAID Michigan State 109 Justin S. Morrill Hall of Agriculture University Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824

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The mission of MSU AgBioResearch is to engage in innovative, leading-edge research that combines MISSION scientific expertise with practical experience to generate economic prosperity, sustain natural resources, STATEMENT: and enhance the quality of life in Michigan, the nation and the world. The mission, supported by more than 300 scientists working in agriculture, natural resources, engineering, social and natural sciences, human ecology and veterinary medicine, has enabled MSU AgBioResearch to be one of the most successful organizations of its kind in the country. This success is due to the efforts of outstanding researchers; close partnerships and collaborations with MSU Extension, seven MSU colleges, federal and state agencies, commodity groups and other key stakeholders; and exceptional legislative support.

MSU AgBioResearch is an equal opportunity employer and complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.