Mar 24, 2016

Sakata contributes to UC Davis biotechnology center

Sakata Seed America announced a contribution to the Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) at the University of California Davis’ (UC Davis) Kent J. Bradford Endowment initiative. The goal of the campaign is to raise $2.5 million in order to create the Kent J. Bradford Endowed Chair in Seed Science.

Sakata has been a financial supporter of the SBC since its inception in 1999, according to a press release.

The Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC), represents a collaboration between industry partners and UC Davis with the collective goal of providing advanced research, education, training and scientific information on seed issues and technologies. The SBC, founded and currently directed by Professor Kent Bradford, has organized and implemented such accomplishments as educational workshops, symposia and classes; more than $13 million invested in research on seed genetics, genomics, breeding tools and technology; training of over 170 plant breeders in the industry; and extensive research on key crops such as brassicas, carrots, lettuce, melon, pepper and tomato.

Bradford is set to retire in five years and current state budgets cannot fully support a replacement faculty member dedicated to seed science nor a new director for the SBC, Sakata said.

To learn more about the SBC, or to contribute to the Kent J. Bradford Endowment initiative, visit the Seed Biotechnology Center website