Planting the Seeds
The St. Louis region has the potential to become a world center for plant sciences, biotechnology and life sciences.
Liese Hutchison

Founded as a trading post in the 1700s, St. Louis became the launching point for westward discovery and expansion in the 1800s. That century heralded the industrial age and the region was recognized as the car, shoe, beer and plane manufacturing center of the country. At the end of the 1900s, technology takes center stage as the metropolitan area boasts numerous high-flying, high-tech companies.

The evolution continues into the 21st century, as the region further specializes in the life sciences in general and in biotechnology and plant sciences in particular. top

The Seed

Henry Shaw started the region's movement to plant science leadership 150 years ago. His interest in botany and gardening, combined with his substantial wealth, enabled him to create the Missouri Botanical Garden. He founded the Garden with only 10 acres in 1851 and opened it to the public in 1859. To ensure the Garden remained a place for scientific research, he established the Henry Shaw School of Botany at Washington University in 1885. He stipulated that the director of the Garden also hold the George Engelmann Professorship of Botany at Washington University. His foresight created a bond between the two venerable institutions that has lasted for more than 100 years. top

The Roots

The Missouri Botanical Garden today covers 79 acres and is seen as one of the three greatest combined botanical and research gardens in the world. Peter Raven, Ph.D., director, came to the garden in 1972 and has taken the quiet, little place most St. Louisans called Shaw's Garden and turned it into an internationally respected research institution, plant preservation facility and historical archive center. It is home to the most active tropical botany research program in the world and visited by almost one million people annually.

Raven's reputation is so well respected around the globe, he successfully bid to host the 16th International Botanical Congress (IBC). (The last time the Congress was held in North America was in 1969 in Seattle.) Almost 5,000 scientists from 100 countries descended on St. Louis the first week in August.

Participants discussed the importance of plants to human life÷from the air people breathe, to the foods people eat, to the medicines people take. Numerous announcements and discoveries were made (see sidebar) at the event. "This is the largest and most comprehensive gathering of plant scientists where people from all different fields build bridges," he states. Raven says the fact that St. Louis hosted the IBC will solidify the world's perception of the region as a plant science center. He serves as president of the organization and is also a member of President Clinton's Committee on Science and Technology. top

PLANT DISCOVERIES

Almost 5,000 scientists from 100 countries attended the 16th International Botanical Congress in St. Louis in August. The IBC is held every six years and the last time an American city hosted the event was in 1969 in Seattle. Scientists made several announcements throughout the week-long event:

• Avinoam Danin, a botany professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, concludes that pollen found on the Shroud of Turin dates to at least the 8th century.
• Jane Lubchenco, a biologist at Oregon State University, released findings that there are 50 life-suffocating "dead zones" in the Earth's oceans.
• Ingo Potrykus led a team of Swiss and German scientists that praised genetically engineered rice high with iron and Vitamin A to fight malnutrition.
• Nigerian scientist Maurice Iwu's team discovered that a chemical from a plant in West Africa shows promise in fighting the Ebola virus.
• Researchers who are part of the Green Plant Phylogeny Research Coordination Group conclude that fungi is more related to animals than plants and that the plants should be divided into four kingdoms: 1) brown algae, which include giant kelp; 2) red algae, which include seaweed; 3) fungi, which include mushrooms; and 4) green plants, which include mosses, ferns and flowering plants.
• The World Conservation Union announced it's seeking $12 million to implement a plan to save the world's plants and trees. The group says it wants to protect and save the 50 most endangered plants, the 50 most endangered orchids and the 50 most endangered medicinal plants in the same fashion endangered animals are protected and saved. top

Last year the Garden opened the $20 million Monsanto Center to hold its millions of plant species in the herbarium. The center also houses an extensive library and is home to half of the Garden's research activities. "The Center is the best in the world in botany," Raven remarks.Ê "It's a visible symbol of the Botanical Garden's role in plant science research-research that is highly connected with Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-St. Louis and Washington University."

In the 1960s the Garden reached out to the region's universities offering botanical sciences courses and degree programs. A consortium agreement was established between Saint Louis University, UM-St. Louis and SIU-Edwardsville. Coordinated by the Garden and Washington University, this program allows students enrolled in one of the universities to complete the degree requirements at their institutions, but also allows them full access to the Garden's staff, facilities and research opportunities. This collaboration trains the plant science researchers of tomorrow. top

	Left: The Missouri Botanical Garden's Monsanto Center. (Exterior)
Right: The Missouri Botanical Garden's Monsanto Center houses millions of plant species as well as an extensive library. A great deal of the Garden's research is conducted at the Center, which was designed by Christner, Inc.

Washington University's connection with the Garden continues. Its first doctoral student÷Anna Isabel Mulford÷graduated in 1895 from the school of botany Henry Shaw established. The school of botany has since merged with the department of biology, but over the last century, more than 300 students affiliated with the Garden have received advanced degrees from Washington University.

In addition to the botany program at the university, the institution is also home to a genome research center that is taking a lead role in plant, animal and human DNA sequencing. "Molecular biology is exploding," says Mark Wrighton, Ph.D., chancellor. "In the science of biology there has been an explosion of knowledge, which suggests that remarkable progress will be made in the next few years [in plant sciences]." top

		Left: Mark Wrighton, Ph.D., chancellor of Washington University, stresses the importance of collaboration between major research universities and corporations.
Right: Peter Raven, Ph.D., director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, has been recognized nationally and internationally for leadership in his field.

To further strengthen the school's position in biotechnology and plant science, Washington University recruited Ralph Quatrano, Ph.D., as Spencer T. Olin professor and chairman of the department of Biology. The highly credentialed Quatrano came to St. Louis from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina.

Wrighton points out that the collaboration of major research universities, major corporations such as Monsanto and the Missouri Botanical Garden will help St. Louis take a lead role in plant science and biotechnology research. He notes that the underlying strength of the region is St. Louis' position as the agricultural center in the United States.

Leonard Guarraia, Ph.D., president and chairman of the World Agricultural Forum, agrees. "We have 54 percent of total U.S. agricultural production within 500 miles of St. Louis and 50 percent of U.S. crop acres," he states. These facts served as fodder for Guarraia's starting the World Agricultural Forum here in 1997, another reason was the region's role as "the nerve center for academia, business and thought groups." top

SUBSTANTIAL LIVING IS A
PLANT SCIENCE GOAL

Peter Raven, Ph.D., director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, offers statistics that indicate the human race is consuming the earth's resources at unsustainable levels:

• unless action is taken quickly, one-third of the plant species on earth could become extinct in 50 years and two-thirds in 100 years
• in 50 years, the earth's population has grown from 2.5 billion to 6 billion people
• in that same time frame, the earth has lost 25 percent of its topsoil, 20 percent of its agricultural land and one-third of its forests
• the United States makes up only four percent of the earth's population, yet consumes 25 percent of the earth's resources top

The RCGA has provided critical initial and continuing support for the WAF. The WAF is supported by more than 20 companies and institutions as well as the Danforth Foundation, Merrill Lynch, DuPont Agricultural Enterprises, Dow AgroSciences, Cargill, Bunge Corporation and Monsanto Company. The WAF represents the first such organized international gathering of public and private members of the global agricultural community and allows interactive discussion among its many sectors.

"It makes sense that St. Louis would be involved in establishing the World Agricultural Forum," notes Dick Fleming, president and chief executive officer of the RCGA. "Not only are we the heart of production, we are also home to the major commodity trade associations for corn and soybeans, as well as a number of agricultural trade groups representing crop protection chemicals, equipment dealers, economic and trade-related groups.

"St. Louis is the largest inland port for the shipment of agricultural products in the nation, shipping eight million tons per year," he stresses.

Guarraia says the Forum's purpose is to "provide a neutral forum for a discussion across all industry sectors of the key issues in agriculture: trade, environment, production, technology and economy." The World Agricultural Forum is currently working on two projects: studying the transition of agriculture over six months, one year and five years, and conducting a public opinion survey of agricultural leaders around the world on various agricultural issues. The Forum recently held its first World Congress in May in St. Louis. Host to more than 350 registrants, including agricultural secretaries and ministers, CEOs and scientists from across the globe, the World Congress was viewed by 150,000 people, courtesy of the United States Information Agency. top

		Left: World Agricultural Forum attendees discuss the status of African agriculture (left to right) Gerard Acogny, representing the government of Senegal; Mohamed Elmad Ahamed, director general Indian Ocean Management Company; Kadiatou Koite, spouse; and The Honorable John C. Danforth, chairman of the Advisory Board, WAF.
Right: The World Agricultural Forum gave participants the opportunity to confer on major issues affecting trade, production and infrastructure as well as significant challenges for farmers, the environment and financing, (left to right): Enea Ioan Truta, deputy secretary general, Ministry of Agriculture and Food for Romania; The Honorable Yong-Kyu Choi, director general of International Agriculture Bureau for Korea; Liam Downey, director TEAGASC, Dublin, Ireland; Moli�re Djelhi Yahot, director of Economic Bureau for the Ivory Coast; Hisao Azuma, former vice minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan; and His Excellency Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Soleh Solahuddin, Minister of Agriculture for Indonesia.

Next year regional WAF meetings are planned in Malaysia, Europe, Africa and possibly Argentina. The following year the World Agricultural Congress is scheduled for May 20 to May 21, 2001.

The individual elements alone--Shaw's foresight, the area as an agricultural center, research being conducted at Monsanto, universities and the Garden--weren't enough to call St. Louis the world's center in plant sciences. This was further developed in April 1996 when Peter Raven; Bill Danforth, then chair of the Danforth Foundation; and Virginia Weldon, then a vice president at Monsanto, met in California where their idea bloomed--create an independent plant science center that would attract hundreds of top scientists from around the world to conduct ground-breaking research. This research would then be used for practical purposes--increasing the world's food supply, improving nutrition, sustaining life. The root system was in place. But what was necessary to make the idea flourish? top

The Water

The idea needed funding. This undertaking would cost millions of dollars. The threesome quickly approached Monsanto, the Danforth Foundation and the State of Missouri. All agreed to help fund the project--$146 million in seed money and tax credits were provided. "It's gratifying to see that when presented with an opportunity, Monsanto, the State of Missouri and the Danforth Foundation stepped forward with dispatch," Wrighton notes.

A unique partnership comprised of Missouri Botanical Garden, Monsanto Co., Purdue University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Missouri-Columbia and Washington University formally unveiled plans in July 1998 to build the world's premier research center dedicated to plant science.

To celebrate the launch of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, former President Jimmy Carter addressed hundreds of national and international leaders in plant sciences, as well as the national and international press. top

Above: The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center promises to attract the most talented plant scientists in the world. The design architect, Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners (based in London) is world-renown. The technical architect is HOK and construction manager is McCarthy. top

Only three years lapsed from initial discussion to groundbreaking. In August 1999, the groundbreaking took place in Creve Coeur on Monsanto-donated land. Bill Danforth, currently chair of the Plant Science Center, remarks at the ceremony, "Today we are breaking ground on the realization of a dream that we have had for a long time." He notes that the dream is comprised of four parts:

• The Center will be an independent institution made up of some of the most talented and interactive plant scientists in the world
• Although independent, the Center will be part of a larger effort to make the mid-western section of the United States a leader in the study of plants and agriculture
• The practical applications flowing from the work done at the center will benefit the entire world
• cientists will come from all over the world to learn new science and new techniques that they can take back for the benefit of their homelands.

"The Danforth Plant Science Center, supported by strong partners, holds great potential not only for the St. Louis region, but for the nation and the world. The St. Louis region is already a recognized center for biotechnology and plant science research. The Danforth Center will build on the region's pre-eminence as a world-class leader in this emerging field," remarks Bruce Anderson, Ph.D., president, Danforth Foundation.

Money for constructing the 170,000-square-foot research center was in place. The dream had been realized, but will the top scientists come to St. Louis? top

The Plant

The first step involved recruiting a president for the center. After an international search, Roger N. Beachy, Ph.D., was hired in January 1999. According to Danforth, "he's the man who will make all of our dreams come true." Beachy is no stranger to St. Louis. From 1978 to 1991 he served as a professor in the biology department at Washington University, where he also was the head of its Center for Plant Science and Biotechnology. His work at the University, in collaboration with Monsanto, led to the development of the world's first genetically altered food crop, a variety of tomato that was modified for resistance to virus and disease. He left St. Louis in 1991, to head the Division of Plant Biology at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif. top

Above: Roger N. Beachy, Ph.D., president of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, is an internationally known scientist who was recruited to head the center. top

Beachy returned to run the Center, because he believes in the Center's mission, which includes "discovering how genes work and applying this knowledge to plants for the benefit of human kind." In addition to overseeing the final plans for the building, Beachy has been working hard to recruit top scientists to fill its labs. He knows there will need to be inducements and incentives to get the top scientists, but he says once they see the commitment from the community, the importance of agriculture and the scientific base already in place, he thinks they will come. Beachy notes that having the International Botanical Congress in town helped spread the word about the Center.

"People are the critical element," Wrighton notes. He says the key is attracting the best scientists to conduct cutting-edge laboratory work.

Beachy has already recruited two internationally known scientists to the Danforth Center: Jeff Skolnick, Ph.D., in computation biology and Claude Fauquet, Ph.D., whose field of expertise is plant virology. Fauquet heads the International Laboratory for Tropical Agricultural Biotechnology (ILTAB) and moved it to St. Louis. "This group has trained more than 125 scientists from around the world," Beachy says. ILTAB works with third-world crop development and is currently in temporary housing at UM-St. Louis.

The Center hopes to have 100 scientists in place when the facility opens June 2001 and 100 additional scientists by 2003. Beachy says the scientists will be independent researchers who won't have to follow any corporate agenda dictating research activities. "The best research is done when scientists are left to their own imaginations," he notes. The research will be investigator driven. What type of research will be conducted? top

The Flowers

"The Center holds extra promise and will be a hub of unparalleled activity," Raven remarks. "The research will help us understand plants and use the knowledge for human benefit."

DNA sequencing of plants, how plants relate to each other and the role plant life plays in human life are just a few of the areas that will be examined. Interdisciplinary research in genetics, chemistry, cell biology, biochemistry, computational genomics and structural biology will be conducted.

"Plant life has made human life possible on earth," notes Dr. Rita Colwell, director, National Science Foundation. She says new medicines and better foods have evolved from plant research.

What will these research activities yield? top

The Pollen

Discoveries that feed the world, make the earth sustainable for future generations, erase malnutrition, fight disease and eliminate pest problems are just a few of the Center's lofty goals. "We need more research that promotes a biologically-based economy," Beachy says.

He states that one of the goals of the Center is to shorten the path from discovery to practical application, and that is where the Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise comes into play. The Nidus Center opens this month at the Monsanto facility in Creve Coeur. The company is building the $10 million center and leasing the space to Nidus. The 40,000-square-foot business incubator will focus on plant science technologies. Nidus recently recruited a national leader to St. Louis to head their unique venture. Robert Calcaterra, Ph.D., president and CEO, says Nidus will work closely with scientists trying to bring their discoveries to market. Calcaterra notes that the Center will provide hands-on advice, management training, seminars and CEO meetings. "We will also help them raise money," he says. Calcaterra states that companies incubate typically two to three years before going out on their own. top

		Left: President and CEO of the Nidus Center, Robert Calcaterra, Ph.D., works closely with scientists to bring their discoveries to market.
Right: An artist's rendering of the Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise, which is scheduled to open this month.

"We're optimistic that the addition of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and the Nidus Center will further strengthen St. Louis and the Midwest as an important center for innovation in plant sciences and biotechnology," says Hendrik A. Verfaillie, president and chief operating officer, Monsanto Co.Ê "We believe there is great promise and multiple opportunities in plant sciences, especially across agriculture, health and nutrition.Ê Not only will these new centers provide yet another opportunity for world-class scientists and their families to become part of the community, the Danforth and Nidus centers will also attract new investment capital and help provide creative solutions to the challenges that face us as we enter the new millennium." top

WHITE HOUSE HONORS

Research is the key for the region to achieve its goal of becoming a world leader in plant sciences and biotechnology. Four Monsanto scientists were recognized for their groundbreaking work in developing a simple and reliable method for transferring desirable genes into crop plants. The team received the National Medal of Technology from President Clinton in April at a ceremony at the White House. Honored were:

• Dr. Robert T. Fraley - In addition to his work on introducing foreign genes into crop plants, Dr. Fraley has also been active in the development of insect- and herbicide-resistant plants. He is co-president of the Agricultural Sector of Monsanto.
• Dr. Robert B. Horsch - Dr. Horsch used the gene transfer technology to expand Monsanto's capability to some important crops, including soybean, corn, wheat, cotton, canola, tomato and potato. Dr. Horsch is co-president of Monsanto's Sustainable Development Sector and general manger of the company's Agracetus Campus.
• Dr. Ernest G. Jaworski - Dr. Jaworski assembled and led the team that developed this recently honored method. Since his retirement, he has served as a scientist in residence at the St. Louis Science Center and interim director of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
• Dr. Stephen G. Rogers - Since helping to develop the gene transfer method, Dr. Rogers has worked with industry and government agencies throughout the world for the safe introduction of these crops and the food they produce. He is presently director of biotechnology projects for Europe. top

In addition to assisting technological discoveries hit the marketplace, the Nidus Center will also have a ripple effect on the St. Louis economy. Calcaterra recently served as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Incubator, and that facility brought $50 million and 250 new jobs to the Phoenix area. "In the long term, the Nidus Center will have an economic impact of hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs," Calcaterra notes.

The seeds have been sown for these different plant sciences entities, and the region is poised for growth÷anticipating the migration of scientists to St. Louis, and hoping the discoveries made will not only stamp the metropolitan area as the plant science center of the world, but also as a place where scientific history is made.

Liese L. Hutchison, APR, is an assistant professor in the department of communication at Saint Louis University and a free-lance writer.

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