Southeast Regional Regional Biomass Research Center (SERBRC) The Southeast Regional Biomass Research Center (SERBRC) is one of four regional USDA Biomass Research Centers. The SERBRC is a network of existing USDA-ARS facilities and scientists located in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, New Orleans, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Texas. SRRBRC Research Focus Areas Feedstock Development Development of improved perennial grasses for bioenergy feedstocks is led by scientists at Tifton, GA, Canal Point, FL and Houma, LA. Additionally, development of germplasm for sweet sorghum-type sorghums is led by scientists at Tifton, GA. Scientists develop new feedstocks for increased yield and conversion characteristics through collaborations with agronomists, molecular biologists and chemical engineers. New feedstocks are field-tested to select for disease and insect resistance and to determine their suitability for production in different growing environments throughout the region. Genes for resistance to numerous biotic stresses such as the sugarcane aphid and aspergillus on sorghum have been identified for use in breeding for more tolerant cultivars.