GrassRoots Biotechnology

GrassRoots Biotechnology is a Durham-based agricultural biotech company that spun out of Duke University’s Center for Systems Biology to advance and commercialize technologies developed by Dr. Philip Benfey.

Recently, the USDA recommended the company be awarded an SBIR Phase II grant to fund continued research to improve root architecture in bioenergy crops. The award is for $400,000 over two years, and will enable GrassRoots to ramp up its R&D to improve agronomic productivity of biofuels feedstocks.

Since 2007, the company's mission has been to employ cutting-edge expertise in agricultural biotechnology to create better biofuels, food, and industrial crops. Grassroots’ expertise is in plant genomics and plant root development. Focusing on plant roots—which are the chief means of nutrient and water acquisition—gives the company a distinct advantage, as most agricultural research focuses on above-ground traits. Plant roots also sequester carbon, remediating environmental impact and providing another advantage to Grassroots’ focus.

The company is in the second year of collaborating with major industrial partners. These alliances are directed toward the discovery of gene promoters and trait genes for agricultural row crops. Simultaneously, GrassRoots is conducting research to enhance biofuels feedstocks such as switchgrass and sorghum, which are high-potential biomass crops for the Southeast.

Currently, GrassRoots has 18 employees and recently moved into new offices in the Venable Center in Durham. The company views its move to downtown Durham and renovation of an old tobacco warehouse as contributing to the revitalization of downtown Durham.

Through successful feedstock enhancement programs, the company intends to help make biofuels an economically viable alternative to fossil fuels. In concert with companies working on processing and distribution systems, GrassRoots seeks to create a flourishing biofuels industry in North Carolina.