WELCOME to the 39 North monthly Newsletter
Your source for news and happenings in our innovation neighborhood. | October 2022
Thank you to everyone who joined us for AgTech NEXT 2022!  

We are grateful to so many 39 North company representatives who served as speakers, and advisory board members, and for the support of our partners for making the event a huge success!
39 North Pedals for the Cause

The 39 North Pedal the Cause Team had a great weekend of riding to support the Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The team raised nearly $20,000! Thank you to our generous community for your support of research that aims to create a world without cancer. 
Weekly: Danforth Center Scientific Seminar Series

The Danforth Center hosts complimentary weekly virtual Scientific Seminar Series on a variety of topics. Click here for a listing of upcoming seminars and join the conversation!  If you would like to be on the email list for these seminars, please contact Terri Burton, tburton@danforthcenter.org.
October 22, 12 - 4 PM 
Raspberry Pi
Danforth Plant Science Center

A free event bringing together students, educators, makers, scientists and community members of all ages interested in the world of scientific innovation and robotics.
October 27, 4 – 8 PM 
BRDG Park

St. Louis Community College’s Center for Plant & Life Sciences will be hosting an Open House! Scholarships and on-site enrollment assistance will be available. Everyone is invited to learn more about the biotechnology, life science, and horticulture programs at the event and including LIVE lab demonstrations! Lab and industry tours will be hosted by STLCC Labs and local AgTech companies. Guests will enjoy food, drinks, and cool prizes!
November 10, 10 - 11:30 AM via Zoom 
Top Tips for Funding R&D with Grants

This 90-minute offering is designed to introduce technology start-ups and existing businesses on how they might fund R&D through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants. This is an introduction to the topic that has been developed for companies that are new to seeking grant funds and is not a “how to apply” course. Fee: No Cost
December 6, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
December 7, 8:30 - to 11:30 AM via Zoom
NSF SBIR Interactive Workshop

This day-and-a-half workshop is designed to assist technology start-ups and existing businesses in learning how to apply for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) to fund their R&D. This hands-on workshop is an extensive “how to apply” course developed for companies that have a unique breakthrough technology that is NSF grant worthy. This course will offer specific directions on how to prepare a competitive NSF Phase 1 submission.  
November 24
Olivette Turkey Trot

Olivette’s 9th Annual 5K Turkey Trot is a chip-timed event with 2,000+ participants expected. This family-friendly 5k run/walk course starts at Stacy Park, runs down scenic Old Bonhomme Road, and then through a paved, tree-lined trail, ending at Stacy Park. Long-sleeve Tech T-shirts, refreshments, and music make the race a fun way to start your Thanksgiving Day! Strollers and dogs on leashes are welcome but are asked to start at the back of the pack.
April 30 - May 4, 2023
The 16th Annual International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) Symposium Union Station St. Louis



Mycorrhizal Applications

Back in 1995, Dr. Mike and Eileen Amaranthus used their garage to establish Mycorrhizal Applications, a company that focused on forest restoration through the use of ectomycorrhizal slurries (fungi). As research became more advanced, the company grew and developed “in vivo” and “in vitro”, two methods for producing a variety of mycorrhizal products for other industries including agriculture, turf management, landscaping, and professional horticulture. Now, Mycorrhizal Applications is the largest manufacturer of commercially available mycorrhizal products in the world.

As the world’s largest producer of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, the company’s MycoApply® products are improving the sustainability of the planet, nutritional quality of food, and the ability to feed the growing population. John Mandel says Mycorrhizal Applications’ products are helping to reduce the need for fossil fuels, irrigation, and ultimately reducing erosion and pollution of the water resources and improving plant establishment on degraded and even decertified lands.
Have you met?

Stephanie Gamez
Senior Scientist, Agragene

Describe your journey to the 39 North
On a dark cool San Diego morning, we loaded two cars full of my belongings, our two cats, and two boxes full of fruit flies and set off towards a distant place called Missouri. Agragene, a biocontrol start-up, made the decision to move into fertile Ag biotech lands to seek valuable opportunities. It was in 39 North where Bryan Witherbee, the new great and humble CEO of Agragene, saw an opportunity for the company to grow. Six months after our arrival, Agragene is settled and happy to report we are making great progress in our work. We thank the Helix Center for helping us on this path to success.
 
What are you most excited to be working on right now?
I am excited, and I mean EXCITED to work with CRISPR in insects, particularly on crop pests. The ability to use a powerful molecular tool to generate sterile males for controlling wild crop pests is amazing. I am fortunate and privileged to be able to do this at Agragene. Me being able to develop a helpful and environmentally friendly product is what gets me up every morning. That and coffee.
 
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
If my boss is reading this- I enjoy working in my free time. The lab is my home and experiments are my entertainment. If I had free time, I envision the following enjoyable things: painting colorful abstract works with acrylic, playing video games, snuggling with my cats Ajax and Paco, and exploring Missouri with my husband. In all seriousness though: Bryan is cool, and I have a life outside the lab.
Missouri Small Business Development is offering a Phase 0 FAST Grant to fund up to $2500 toward a grant writer for your Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant submission. Must have an SBIR grant worthy technology and completed the necessary market and customer research to qualify. For more information reach out to our Innovation & Technology Counselor, Ed Lahue at elahue@missouri.edu
Have news to share?
Please contact: Dena Holtgrewe, dholtgrewe@danforthcenter.org