The SUM Series features informal talks, panels, and discussions on mathematical topics.  All are welcome!  

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Upcoming Events

3D Bioprinting: The Future of Plant Science

Speaker: Stephanie Stewart (Biomath)

Thursday, March 26 at 4:30pm in SAS 4201 (includes pizza) add to Google calendar

Plants rule the world. They feed us, fuel us, and sustain life on Earth. But breeding better crops to meet global food demand is slow and inefficient. This project addresses global food demand challenges by developing a 3D bioprinting pipeline to enhance plant regeneration from protoplasts. We sample from different seed tissue sources with high regenerative capability, but these cells are challenging to sustain post-harvest. We test different enzyme solutions to isolate these cells, then arrange them precisely in three dimensions using a bioprinter. By controlling cell density, layering, and spacing, we replicate the natural cues that tell cells what to become. Over months, we watch single cells divide into clusters, form tissues, and grow into tiny plantlets. We are building a faster, smarter, and more resource-effective pipeline to improve the crops which support humanity.