By Julie Bierach, KWMU
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwmu/local-kwmu-680901.mp3
St. Louis – At the Maize Genetics Conference in Washington D.C., scientists will announce the completion of the genetic blueprint of the corn genome. The sequencing took place at Washington University's Genome Sequencing Center, under the direction of Rick Wilson.
The completion of the corn genome is significant for companies like St. Louis-based Monsanto.
KWMU's science reporter Julie Bierach spoke with Dusty Post, who leads the corn Technology department at the company.
Post says for Monsanto, a blueprint of the corn genome will accelerate efforts to develop better crop varieties that help meet the demands for food, feed and fuel.