Accelerating plant synthetic biology innovations to enable a bioeconomy that is profitable and resilient
The Alliance for Socially-acceptable & Actionable Plants (ASAP) is a NSF-funded Global Center that leverages diverse disciplines and a global team to demonstrate an accelerated pathway for producing socially-acceptable plant synthetic biology innovations as soon as possible. These solutions will be the foundation for engagement with various communities and stakeholders, working to maximize the value of the bioeconomy and to support cooperation and adoption of technologies.
Social Acceptability & Engagement
Advance social and behavioral science across countries and agricultural sectors.
- Understand consumer attitudes
- Explore the ethics of plant biotechnology
- Investigate the governance of plant biotechnology
Synthetic Biology Solutions
Accelerate innovative breakthroughs.
- Screen genomes and model proteins to prioritize testing
- Use a robotic biofoundry to accelerate production
- Apply robotics, remote sensing, and AI to accelerate phenotyping
- Discover genetic basis for trait evolution
Workforce Development
Build a talent pipeline.
- Summer undergraduate internship program (RISE)
- Online course in transdisciplinary science
- Exchange program to increase training
- Virtual seminars to engage the broader research community
News & Events
Lawson brings renowned plant science expertise to Illinois
Profile on ASAP PI Tracy Lawson …
NSF, international partners to invest nearly $10M in ASAP Global Center
Funding announced to advance bioeconomy research …