2Blades

Happy Earth Day! Today we celebrate the remarkable beauty, diversity, and complexity of Earth's many wonders. For those of us in #agriculture, we are privileged to encounter and interact with these wonders every day as we manage the delicate balance between meeting the needs of humanity and safeguarding our planet. Yes, there is work to be done. Millions of people are under-nourished and millions more are food insecure. The climate crisis has altered the environmental order and our crops are under severe stress from pests and diseases, among other things. But there is hope. Over the past five decades, agricultural productivity has soared compared to the demands on labor and land. This exponential growth in productivity has revolutionized agriculture, paving the way for greater efficiency and sustainability in food production. As we commemorate #EarthDay2024, let us unite in our efforts to embrace science and advance more sustainable, nutritious, and accessible food systems, ensuring that the Earth's wonders will continue to captivate us for generations to come.

Thank you MAKE IT BETTER FOUNDATION and Better Magazine for including 2Blades in your list of nonprofits working to protect the environment. https://lnkd.in/eTDAHaig As this article points out, there's no one-size-fits-all solution to protecting our planet. But if we're going to meet the challenges that lie ahead, protecting our crops from pests and diseases has to be part of the plan. We are honored to be included alongside the many wonderful organizations listed in the article, and hope that you will consider supporting our efforts by making a one-time or recurring gift at the link provided in the comments below. #EarthDay2024

For the next installment of 2Blades Spotlight Series, we chat with Professor Jonathan Jones to learn more about his career, what motivated him to work in agbiotech, and what advice he has for young scientists. Prof. Jones is a leading researcher in plant/microbe interactions at The Sainsbury Laboratory and a member of 2Blades' Science Advisory Board. He has played a pivotal role in some of the most groundbreaking discoveries in agriculture over the last three decades, notably contributing to the development of the #purpletomato that has captured considerable public interest since going on sale earlier this year. This was an insightful, engaging interview - give it a read! https://lnkd.in/eU-p7z5B

Mycotoxins are some of the most dangerous toxins in the world, causing unimaginable harm to both humans and livestock. Estimates suggest #mycotoxins cause roughly $1.4 billion in food and feed losses in the U.S. alone, and are one of the leading causes for stunting, immune deficiency, and cancer in many developing countries. So in 2022, 2Blades launched the Corn Mycotoxin Mitigation Initiative (CMMI) at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul, and today we are thrilled to share that as part of the FY24 Congressional spending package, we will receive funding of up to $1M to further our research on mycotoxigenic fungi in corn. This funding will enhance the CMMI and serve as a catalyst to identifying and advancing effective solutions against mycotoxins in the U.S. and across the globe. This funding highlights the critical role that governments can play in addressing global challenges such as food security and sustainable agriculture. We would like to express our gratitude to Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) for her continued support of our work and her deep appreciation for the importance of agriculture R&D funding in protecting our crops, our planet, and our people. Click here to read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/erMq5WtH

2Blades is pleased to welcome Appolinaire Djikeng to its Board of Directors. In his capacity as the 4th Director General for International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and a Senior Director for CGIAR, he has been a close collaborator and advisor to 2Blades for years. We feel fortunate to have his leadership and insights as we push the boundaries on how we can advance sustainable, climate-smart solutions from the lab to the field. Click here to read the announcement: https://lnkd.in/eVYvS5Mp Please join us in welcoming Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng to our Board!

We spent a day this week with Rose Gidado, Strategy and Partnerships Lead, and PROF., ABDULLAHI MUSTAPHA, Director General, of the National Biotechnology and Research Development Agency in Abuja, Nigeria. Kamil Witek and I were impressed with the current prioritization of investment in agricultural production in Nigeria and strong political will to utilize biotech approaches. These interests were epitomized by the tasty dishes made from pod-borer resistant (Bt) cowpea and drought and Fall Army Worm tolerant TELA maize. Thanks, Rose, for your hospitality and deep commitment to agbiotech.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. At 2Blades, we benefit from their contributions in every aspect of our work. Whether as farmers, scientists, policymakers or business leaders, women are shaping the future of #agriculture in profound ways, and we celebrate their achievements today and everyday! #IWD2024 #InspireInclusion #WomenInScience

Our President and co-founder, Diana Horvath, stumbled across Del Monte Foods, Inc. Pink Pineapple the other day! Read about her experience and thoughts below. What may look like just a pink pineapple in a grocery store for many, in fact represents years of work by committed individuals and organizations who understood the benefits and safety of transgenic products. At 2Blades, we believe in transgenic approaches because we believe in empowering our farmers with all the tools necessary to feed and nourish our planet. This is more than just a pink pineapple. It's a win for all of us!

Job Announcement! We are hiring a Researcher 2 position to join our Group at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul. The successful applicant will be part of a group developing genetic resistance to mycotoxigenic fungi in cereal and legume crops, with the aim of delivering value to commercial partners and smallholder farmers. The successful applicant will have practical knowledge of standard molecular biology techniques, including cloning, DNA purification, bacterial transformation, and PCR. About 2Blades: We are a nonprofit, agbiotech organization that advances solutions to crop losses by merging cutting-edge scientific discovery with delivery in the field, contributing to a more resilient, sustainable, and productive global food supply. We have a 20-year track record of achieving effective protection in the field from some of the most intractable and damaging plant pathogens and pests, and we aspire to pursue the highest quality translational research that can provide broad benefits for commercial partners and smallholder farmers. We are headquartered in Evanston, IL with research labs at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, MN and The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, UK. To learn more about the position and to apply, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gt7eRzRv