Project Examples
North Carolina State University and Novozymes
Conversion of Coastal Bermuda Grass into Bioethanol
Novozymes and NC State are combining expertise in several disciplines to create a system to produce ethanol using coastal Bermuda grass. Long-term, this project could produce a source of bio-based fuel with a competitive advantage over corn for North Carolina. The team of researchers has expertise in biological and agricultural engineering, wood and paper science, and enzyme biochemistry and fermentation.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
An Edible, Human Vaccine Expressed in Soybeans
UNC-Charlotte researchers are examining a specific substance in soybeans to determine whether it can produce an edible vaccine. Plant-based vaccines promise tremendouse potential for safe creation, transportation and administration of immune-boosting substances. However, real scientific questions remain about their feasibility and effectiveness. This project is designed to answer some of those questions when using soybeans.
East Carolina University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Engineered Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of NO to Decrease Ischema/Reperfusion Injury in the Heart
When a heart attack happens, blood flow is cut off to the heart, damaging or killing cardiac tissue. This research team is proposing to develop nanoparticles (1/80,000th the width of a human hair) to deliver nitrous oxide to that heart tissue, enabling it to repair itself or minimize the damage.