Abigail Alderson, a Research Assistant for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), and Narges Reiahisamani, a Plant Molecular Biologist for AgroSpheres, have worked together on the IALR campus for about a month. The pair have initially focused on running preliminary tests of the growing environment within the greenhouses at IALR and reading existing literature on RNA interference (RNAi), which allows researchers to target and “turn off” specific genes in particular pests.
Alderson and Reiahisamani are conducting research for AgroSpheres, a Charlottesville-based company focused on environmentally friendly crop protection products that utilize RNAi. In the coming months, they will ramp up their research efforts, using IALR’s Analytical Chemistry Lab and testing services, additional greenhouse space, and plant imaging technology to examine the impact of various products in different growing environments.
This collaboration with AgroSpheres exemplifies IALR’s commitment to partnerships and working closely with industry.
“The needs of industry fuel everything we do within the Applied Research division. Sharing our research capabilities and state-of-the-art equipment and spaces with companies like AgroSpheres is a way to contribute to industry growth, bring new companies into Southern Virginia and drive economic transformation.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research, IALR
Reiahisamani and Alderson will test AgroSpheres’ next generation RNAi biostimulants on various agricultural products, including tomatoes, peppers and canola.
“Having Narges and Abigail on the IALR campus allows us to leverage these advanced capabilities without having to build them ourselves. It also allows us to benefit from the experts on the IALR research team.” – Ameer Shakeel, Founder & CTO, AgroSpheres
Reiahisamani and Alderson will grow plants in IALR’s greenhouse but will also utilize other technologies and testing capabilities, especially in the Analytical Chemistry Lab, to measure those results better. In the future, the pair will also use one of IALR’s SMART Tables, which are precision, automated plant-imaging platforms that allow for thorough measurement across a plant growth cycle.
“We want to try their product and see how it works, confirming the results with different tests and methods,” Reiahisamani explained.
“The SMART Table will give us a way to quantify the physical traits we see without intense, expensive lab procedures,” Alderson added.
Founded in the Charlottesville area in 2016, AgroSpheres aims to transform agriculture through reliable and affordable biobased solutions. In May of 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that the company would invest $25 million to expand in Albermarle County, creating an additional 50 jobs. In late November the company also announced $25 million in Series B funding round with a strategic investment from FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC), a global leader in agriculture sciences.
“IALR has been a very helpful partner that we can rely on for any analytical/experimental needs, and now we are hoping to invest back into IALR and increase our presence in the Danville community.” – Ameer Shakeel, Founder & CTO, AgroSpheres
“Everyone has been accommodating and collaborative and made sure we have everything we need,” Alderson said.
IALR frequently hosts and collaborates with educators, researchers and companies from Southern Virginia and worldwide. Companies that need contract research services or are interested in utilizing labs, greenhouses or research space at IALR should contact Dr. Scott Lowman.
