India, July 19 -- Lauren Sanchez and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos have committed $34 million (approx Rs.328.37 crore) through the Bezos Earth Fund to support research into next-generation sustainable textiles and emerging creative talent. Announced in April, the grants will fund US universities and institutions developing biodegradable fibres that could eventually replace conventional materials such as polyester, rayon and cotton. The research focuses on innovations including bacteria-grown textile fibres, plastic-free silk-inspired materials and biodegradable alternatives that aim to reduce the fashion industry's dependence on fossil fuels and curb microplastic pollution. The grants have been awarded to institutions including Columbia University, the University of California, Berkeley, Clemson University and the Cotton Foundation. "When you start asking questions about what clothes could be made of, the answers are incredible," Sanchez, vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, told The Wall Street Journal. "We're investing in the scientists changing what fabric is actually made from. The future of fashion is being invented right now," she added. Sanchez also recalled sewing her own red prom dress because her family could not afford to buy one, saying the experience shaped her appreciation for fashion and craftsmanship. The Bezos Earth Fund, launched in 2020 with Jeff Bezos' $10 billion (approx Rs.96,286 crore) climate pledge, operates independently of Amazon, which has separately committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.HTC...