CA&ES scientists are collaborating with UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco researchers on a $70-million donor-funded initiative that aims to cut climate change-causing emissions from cattle by using the genome-editing tool CRISPR on microbes in the cows’ gut. The groundbreaking health and climate initiative is funded by TED’s Audacious Project, which provides donor support to encourage the world’s greatest changemakers to dream bigger.
Professor Ermias Kebreab, known for his innovative research using feed additives to reduce methane emissions, and Associate Professor Matthias Hess are collaborating with a world-renowned team at UC Berkeley: Professors Jennifer Doudna, a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry for her work to develop CRISPR genome-editing technology and Jill Banfield the first woman to win the van Leeuwenhoek Medal for her impact on the field of microbiology.
This gift is the largest scientific award funded through the project to date, and harnesses the University of California’s capacity to create solutions in areas of sustainability and human health.
The Audacious Project incentivizes people to think big. Their donor community understands the power of each of our campuses drawing on our strengths in different ways to have a huge impact around the world.”
—Ermias Kebreab, professor and associate dean of Global Engagement
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UC Davis scientists have teamed up with UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco researchers on a donor-funded initiative that aims to reduce climate change-causing emissions from cattle by using the genome editing tool CRISPR on microbes in the guts of cows.
Cattle are the top agricultural source of methane in the U.S. A third of human-influenced methane emissions are released by cows and other ruminant animals. Because methane doesn’t stay in the atmosphere as long as other gases like carbon dioxide, reducing emissions now will have a visible impact on the climate within the next decade. California has a mandate to reduce methane emissions 40% by 2030.