Nancy M Houmard

Title: Innovations and Contributions of Nancy M. Houmard

Introduction

Nancy M. Houmard is a prominent inventor based in North Stonington, Connecticut. She has made significant contributions to the field of plant breeding, particularly in developing drought-tolerant corn plants. With a total of nine patents to her name, her work has had a substantial impact on agricultural practices.

Latest Patents

One of her latest patents focuses on methods of creating drought-tolerant corn plants using markers linked to cold shock domain-containing proteins. This invention is crucial for plant breeding and drought tolerance. It includes a method for breeding corn plants that contain markers associated with tolerance to low water conditions. The markers are genetically linked to proteins comprising cold shock domains, such as the CSD1 and CSD2 proteins. Additionally, the invention encompasses germplasm and the use of germplasm containing at least one marker associated with drought tolerance for introgression into elite germplasm in a breeding program. This process ultimately leads to the production of drought-resistant germplasm. Another significant patent involves methods for producing hybrid seed, which provides techniques for creating non-natural hybrid seeds. This patent also discloses specific miRNAs and miRNA recognition sites that are useful for conferring inducible sterility on crop plants.

Career Highlights

Nancy M. Houmard is associated with Monsanto Technology LLC, where she has been instrumental in advancing agricultural biotechnology. Her innovative approaches have contributed to the development of crops that can withstand challenging environmental conditions.

Collaborations

Throughout her career, Nancy has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Shihshieh Huang and Edwards M. Allen. These partnerships have further enhanced her research and development efforts in the field of plant genetics.

Conclusion

Nancy M. Houmard's work in developing drought-tolerant corn plants and hybrid seeds showcases her dedication to improving agricultural sustainability. Her contributions continue to influence the future of plant breeding and food security.