Mike’s Research Problem statement follows:

"One major bottleneck in using transformation technology for crop improvement is our lack of understanding of which genes control agronomic traits. In collaboration with John Doebley (University of Wisconsin) and Brandon Gaut (University of California, Irvine), we have developed a novel approach for identifying these key genes. Our approach is to contrast the genetic diversity remaining in genes in inbred lines of maize (improved maize) to the diversity present in accessions of the wild relative teosinte and exotic maize landraces. We initially demonstrated the validity of this approach using simple-sequence-repeat diversity within genes (Vigouroux et al., 2002. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:9650 9655). We have since generalized the approach using DNA sequence diversity. The average (unselected) gene in maize retains approximately 60% of the sequence diversity in a diverse set of inbred lines compared to the teosinte accessions. However, a subset of genes (1-3%) retains essentially no sequence variation in the inbreds, but has normal levels in the teosinte accessions. Our explanation is that these genes exhibit a "signature of selection" in which specific alleles were selected during the domestication of maize by Native Americans or improvement by maize breeders. Our hypothesis is these genes were selected because they affected selected agronomic traits. Paradoxically, the genes that have undergone the greatest selection, that is reduction in diversity, have the least genetic variation remaining and therefore can not be further improved by standard plant breeding or identified by quantitative trait locus analysis because all inbred lines have identical alleles. Among the ‘selected’ genes we have identified to date are transcription factors implicated in plant growth form and response to plant hormones, and a key enzyme in nitrogen and sulfur regulation. The objective of this Research Associate position will be to demonstrate that altering the expression of these genes modifies agronomic traits."

Eliot M. Herman, Research Molecular Biologist, located at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, was presented highest USDA Honor Award, the Plow Award, June 25, 2004 by USDA Secretary Ann M. Veneman in the category "Improving the Nation’s Nutrition and Health" for developing a hypoallergenic soybean that yields a higher percentage of soybeans versus other protein in animal rations and human foods. This research is part of National Program 302–Plant Biological and Molecular Processes.

The accomplishment portion of the nomination reads:

"Soybean allergies are found in 6-8% of children and babies and 1-2% of adults. Allergies to soybeans can have severe consequences that include the danger of anaphylaxis. Soybean allergies are of growing importance to the U.S. population because soybean is widely used in processed foods, making its avoidance particularly difficult, especially for babies, where soybean-based formula is second only to dairy-based formula in use. Soybean allergies also affect young swine, calves, dogs, and trout that have economic consequences on efficient growth of animals and the utilization of the otherwise highly nutritious soybean meal for feed.

Dr. Herman discovered a protein that is accumulated in maturing soybean seeds which is the major or immunodominant human seed allergen. The immunological details of the human allergenicity of this protein were determined in collaboration with Dr. Rick Helm of the Children's Hospital of the University of Arkansas Medical School. The results of these studies provided a comprehensive analysis of how the protein discovered by Dr. Herman interacts with the antibodies of soybean-sensitive people. To eliminate this serious allergen from soybeans, Dr. Herman created a team that included both university (Dr. Helm) and industrial (Dr. Anthony Kinney and Rudolf Jung, Pioneer Hi-Bred International) collaborators that produced a genetically-engineered line of soybean in which this allergen is eliminated. Laboratory and field tests of this soybean line have shown that the allergen-null line grows and develops normally and has the same yield as its conventional source line. Using detailed analysis of the total protein content of the allergen-null seeds in comparison with the conventional parental lines, Dr. Herman and collaborators were able to show that the only alteration made in the soybean engineered to be allergen-null was the intended modification, that is, the elimination of the allergen. This type of test is critical for biosafety and established that the allergen-null soybean was ‘substantially equivalent’ to the source soybean line. The resulting soybean line, in which the major human allergen is removed, is the first example of using biotechnology to eliminate a significant human allergen from a major food. This provides an important example of where biotechnology can be used to improve food safety for the millions of people who must practice rigorous avoidance of allergenic foods to prevent severe medical incidents.

This research has had broad public impact and has been the subject of numerous stories in the press, including prominent media outlets such as the New York Times, Toronto Globe, BBC, Scientific American, and New Scientist magazine. Dr. Herman has been invited to make numerous presentations about this accomplishment at universities, government research laboratories, conferences, and symposia, and for the National Academy of Science. This demonstration of biotechnology to remove a major food allergen from soybean can be used in other crops that contain serious allergens.

Dr. Herman continues to expand his research to attempt to develop non-allergenic soybeans suitable for animal feed that would increase the efficiency and economics of animal production and soybean utilization. Using the soybean allergen elimination as an example, Dr. Herman's laboratory is examining using this technology to eliminate other serious human food allergens.

Because of his foresight and innovative use of biotechnology to attack the serious problem of food allergies, and his now-proven success in this approach, Dr. Herman is nominated for the Secretary's Honor Award for "Improving the Nation's Nutrition and Health."