The Plant Biotechnology Laboratory (PBL) at the University of Rhode Island is a full-service academic facility specializing in plant transformation, genome editing, and tissue culture across multiple species, with an emphasis on agriculturally significant crops. Directed by Dr. Albert Kausch, the PBL integrates state-of-the-art molecular biology, tissue culture, and controlled growth environments to enable transgenic biology, functional genomics, and trait development.
Location: 530 Liberty Lane, West Kingston, RI (1 mile from main campus)
Director: Dr. Albert Kausch
Core Capabilities: Plant transformation (Agrobacterium & Biolistics), CRISPR genome editing, plant tissue culture, molecular biology and analytics
Facilities: 4,900 sq ft laboratory space, 1,200 sq ft centralized transgenics core, 400 sq ft media lab, 20 laminar flow hoods
Growth Environments: Greenhouses, growth rooms, and controlled chambers
Compliance: Fully USDA and EPA compliant; No animal, human or clinical research conducted in PBL
Spotlight Sections (3-up):
Plant Transformation and Genome Editing- Stable lines, RNP delivery, multiplex editing
Education and Training- Hands-on workshops, student mentoring, demonstrations
Collaborations and Services- MOUs, MTAs, fee-for-service contracts options available