Scientists at Michigan Technological University received a $900,000 grant from the joint USDA and Department of Energy's Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy Research Program, to develop robust poplar trees, or those which have properties which will enable the trees to thrive in infertile soils. According to Victor Busov, leading project principal investigator, the project has two complementary parts: (1) "poplars will first be grown in dry, nitrogen-poor conditions, and researchers will track how the trees' genome responds. Then they will map which genetic networks control those responses and modify the key genetic "hubs" that govern those networks in an effort to grow trees with roots better suited to low-nitrogen, dry soils", (2) random mutations in poplars will be generated and grown under similar dry, infertile conditions. Should any of the plants respond well to drought and low nitrogen, the scientists will track which genetic changes are responsible. According to the Michigan Tech News website, "Once the scientists identify which genetic modifications produce better roots, they plan to use a variety of approaches, including genetic modifications and traditional breeding techniques, to develop the ideal poplar varieties for biofuel production on marginal lands"..