An Endowment for the Future

Kent J. Bradford
Endowed Chair in Seed Science

To make a gift to the endowment, click here.

2018 Annual Report

UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center Annual Report 2018

Catch up on the latest news about SBC staff, courses, and upcoming events

An Endowment for the Future

Kent J. Bradford
Endowed Chair in Seed Science

To make a gift to the endowment, click here.

2018 Annual Report

Catch up on the latest news about SBC staff, courses, and upcoming events

Welcome to the SBC

The mission of the Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) is to mobilize the research, educational and outreach resources of UC Davis in partnership with the seed and biotechnology industries to facilitate discovery and commercialization of new seed technologies for agricultural and consumer benefit.

News & Updates

Study Finds Indigenous Mexican Variety of Corn Captures the Nitrogen It Needs from the Air

A team of researchers including SBC Director of Research, Dr. Allen Van Deynze and Cristobal Heitmann, discover an indigenous variety of corn that can “fix nitrogen” from the atmosphere, instead of requiring synthetic fertilizers. Cristobal Heitman, “Cris”, was a beloved member of the UC Davis Plant Sciences Department. Cris’s energy and enthusiasm were a major catalyst in this research. Read more.

The SBC is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year!
We are appreciating the past and looking forward. On September 12, 2019 at the International Center, UC Davis,the SBC will host a day-long event with panels highlighting researchers, students, industry representatives and policy makers. The day will conclude with Seed Central’s monthly networking event.

EVENT SCHEDULE: Flier (PDF) • Print-friendly version
This is a free event: TICKETS

SBC highlights a successful year in 2018 Annual Report

The SBC is proud and excited to announce the release of our 2018 Annual Report! Read all about our numerous outreach, research and educational activities over the past year. It has been a busy and productive one! Read Report

SBC Director Kent Bradford featured on UC ANR's weekly video

Kent Bradford was featured on UC ANR's weekly veggie video "Seed and Variety Improvement". He discusses the importance of seed development and breeding to the California vegetable seed industry, as well as the technical complexities and rigors involved in vegetable seed production, particularly with hybrid seeds. View Video

SBC researchers receive Science Translation and Innovative Research (STAIR™) Grant award

SBC Research Director Allen Van Deyzne and Researcher Theresa Hill have received a Science Translation and Innovative Research (STAIR™) Grant award for “Enabling the Mechanical Harvesting of Peppers”. Congratulations Allen and Theresa!
Read more and View Video

SBC Master's Student Samantha Hilbourn visits Washington

UC Davis Plant Sciences Students Samantha Hilborn and Carolina Vaquerano Attend Congressional Visits Day

Samantha Hilborn, an M.S. student working with SBC Research Director Allen Van Deynze, participated in the annual Congressional Visits Day program organized by the Crop Science Society of America, held in Washington D.C. She visited Congressman Jimmy Panetta, a strong supporter of agricultural research. Read more

Dry Chain Webinar with Kent Bradford

The Horticulture Innovation Lab hosted a webinar entitled "Dry Chain: Solving dried commodity losses due to moisture and humidity" with a panel of UC Davis representatives. SBC distinguished professor, Kent Bradford joined them to discuss how the dry chain protects the quality of dry commodities. Watch now

Allen Van Deynze Receives Excellence in Research Award

Congratulations to our own Allen Van Deynze, director of research at the SBC and associate director of the Plant Breeding Center at UC Davis. He was awarded the UC Davis Academic Federation's 2019 Excellence in Research Award at a ceremony held this past week on campus. He has conducted groundbreaking research in Mexico and in Africa and has received more than $12 million in research funding since 2012. Way to go Allen! Read more

UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center partnership with African Orphan Crop Consortium prepare underutilized crops for success

The UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center’s Plant Breeding Academy aims to train 150 breeders, connecting them to research resources and funding while empowering them to apply their knowledge to their traditional crops and communities. Read more.

Plant Breeding Academy Addresses Global Food Needs

UC Davis' Department of Plant Sciences shares how PBA is changing the global food supply one scientist at a time. Read article.

UC Davis Horticulture Innovation Lab’s DryCard improves the health of communities by testing the dryness of grains, seeds

A DryCard is the latest technology to improve the shelf-life of seeds. Dr. Kent Bradford, SBC Director, describes how the amazing DryCard works. Read more.

SBC graduate student Cris Heitmann passed away on April 17, 2018 in a bicycle accident. He will be profoundly missed by colleagues, friends and family.
Learn more about Cris • Cris Heitmann
Scholarship Fund

Upcoming Courses & Events

Event Name

Date

Plant Breeding Academy in Davis - Class VII Session 4

9/9/2019

SBC 20 year Anniversary • 1999 - 2019

9/12/2019

European Plant Breeding Academy - Class VI Session 1

10/7/2019

Hemp Breeding and Seed Production

10/29/2019

Seed Business 101 in Horticulture

12/9/2019

Plant Breeding Academy in Davis - Class VII Session 5

2/3/2020

Seed Production

2/10/2020

European Plant Breeding Academy - Class VI Session 2

3/9/2020

Plant Breeding Academy in Davis - Class VII Session 6

6/1/2020

European Plant Breeding Academy - Class VI Session 3

6/22/2020

European Plant Breeding Academy - Class VI Session 4

10/5/2020

European Plant Breeding Academy - Class V Session 5

3/1/2021

View More Events

Kent Bradford highlighted in Seed World magazine, September 2015

featured in
Seed World Magazine
Two plant sciences professors-- Kent Bradford and Gurdev Khush are among SEED WORLD magazines's picks for its list of 100 most transformational men and women in the seed industry in the last 100 years.

EUROPEAN SEED named SBC Education Director, Rale Gjuric, one of 20 most influential seed people. Read more.