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National & World Ag News Headlines |
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Cornell Plant-Breeding Pioneer Wins Japan Prize
USAgNet - 02/12/2016
Steven D. Tanksley, a molecular geneticist who pioneered concepts essential to modern plant breeding while a professor at Cornell University, has won the prestigious Japan Prize. The award recognizes his development of molecular genetic analysis and
contribution to the stable production of food crops.
Tanksley, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor Emeritus in the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS), revolutionized plant breeding by creating the first chromosomal maps of plants and pioneering genetic techniques essential to crop development. In research
on tomato and rice plants, his team isolated and cloned specific genes using detailed chromosomal maps. The research paved the way for improvements in size, nutritional value and disease resistance of major food crops.
His research helped lay the foundation for the breakthrough technology known as marker-assisted selection (MAS). MAS has transformed plant breeding from a largely trial-and-error endeavor into a predictive science able to pinpoint desirable traits related to
agricultural productivity, allowing scientists to explore the genome in a way never before possible.
The Japan Prize honors scientists "whose original and outstanding achievements are not only scientifically impressive, but have also served to promote peace and prosperity for all mankind." Tanksley, one of two honorees worldwide this year, will receive a
certificate of recognition and commemorative gold medal from the emperor and empress of Japan April 20 in Tokyo. Tanksley won the prize in Biological Production and Biological Environment. The prize includes a cash award of 50 million yen (approximately
$420,000) given to each laureate.
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