The development of homozygous lines is an important, but time-consuming process in plant breeding and research. The induction and subsequent doubling of haploids is an efficient alternative to generate homozygous offspring in 2 generations.

The Doubled Haploid Facility (DHF) starts in 2010 to provide this service for maize to ISU scientists, but is also open to other academic researchers and breeders. The start-up phase is supported by the Department of Agronomy.

The mission of DHF is to:

Provide expertise and service in the production of doubled haploid lines in maize
Improve the technology in order to get higher success rates and lower costs
Teach and train scientists and students