News Service

1-5-09

Iowa State University experts highlight Discovery Channel show this Saturday

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University experts will be highlighted in the Discovery Channel network show "How Stuff Works: Corn" that will air noon Saturday on Mediacom channel 39 in Ames and Des Moines.

The show examines the history, uses and future of corn in an hour-long look at one of Iowa's greatest resources and the country's most versatile crops that can be turned into everything from fuel to plastic to life-saving medicine. The show uses Iowa State experts to explore the genetic secrets, high-tech labs and hard work that go into transforming this crop into a modern miracle.

Kendall Lamkey, chair of the Agronomy Department; Larry Johnson, director of the Center for Crops Utilization Research; Pat Schnable, associate director of the Plant Sciences Institute; and Mark Millard, curator at the Plant Introduction Station all help explain the history and role of corn and how it continues to evolve during the hour-long program.

The series examines everyday phenomena and explains the history and future of them and how they affect everyday life.

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Quick look

Iowa State University experts will be on the Discovery Channel show "How Stuff Works: Corn" noon Saturday on Mediacom channel 39 in Ames and Des Moines.