Fredy Altpeter, Ph.D.
Professor of Molecular Genetics & Plant Breeding & Biotechnology
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Fredy Altpeter is an internationally recognized leader in crop biotechnology whose research has reshaped what is scientifically possible in some of the world’s most complex and economically important crops. Working at the intersection of molecular genetics, genome editing and plant physiology, his work addresses urgent global challenges related to food security, renewable energy and resilience.
Altpeter is best known for pioneering genome editing and metabolic engineering of commercially important plants including sugar cane, which is Florida’s largest row crop and has the most complex genome among major crops. For decades, that complexity stalled genetic improvement. His lab developed innovative gene-editing strategies that enable precise revisions of multiple gene copies at once, opening new paths for improving yield, stress tolerance and sustainability. These breakthroughs led to peer‑reviewed publications describing the first field trials of CRISPR or TALEN‑edited sugar cane which documented improved biomass yield and quality.
Complementing this work, Altpeter has transformed sugar cane into a platform for renewable energy innovation. Through metabolic engineering, his team developed “oil cane,” a crop capable of producing large quantities of oil in its vegetative biomass. Field‑to‑fuel studies have demonstrated that this approach can produce oil yields comparable to traditional oilseed crops while using marginal land not suitable for food production. The technology has attracted major federal and industry investment and is moving toward commercialization.
Altpeter has authored more than 100 peer‑reviewed publications, many in top‑ranked journals, and filed numerous patents related to genome editing, biomass improvement and plant oil production. He has also trained and mentored 183 graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, visiting scientists and undergraduate students, many of whom now hold leadership roles in academia and industry.
Altpeter describes his research as mission‑driven. “As principal investigator, I enjoy conceptualizing research strategies, securing funding, designing experiments, mentoring students and creating lasting impact on science, students and society while advancing global food and energy security,” he wrote in his research narrative. In nominating him, department chair Jason Ferrell emphasized both impact and sustainability: “Dr. Altpeter’s research program is not merely productive, it is generative – meaning that each breakthrough opens new avenues of inquiry and application that will sustain his lab’s leadership for years to come.”