Cells, Genes & Molecules
Engineered increase in mesophyll conductance improves photosynthetic efficiency in field trial
Overexpressing the CGR3 gene in a model crop led to a remarkable 8% increase in photosynthesis.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Green Goldmine: The Surprising Role of Plants in Rare Earth Element Accumulation
By analysing herbarium specimens, scientists found new plants that take rare earth elements from the ground, which could help get more of these important metals in a more sustainable way.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Making the Invisible Visible
Mareike Jezek introduces us to a fascinating research that promises to –literally– shed light on the functioning of plant cells.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
The Journey of a Tropical Plant Tribe from Africa to the Americas
Scientists used DNA to track how a group of tropical plants travelled across continents over millions of years and found that they were able to spread because they attracted a variety of animals to eat their fruits and excrete their seeds.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
How to Live on a Hot, Dry Rock: Different Solutions to the Same Problem
Exciting new research unveils the ecological and physiological secrets for different plants to thrive and coexist in an extreme tropical environment.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
How Gene Duplication Led to the Evolution of Nectar Spurs
Scientists studied how genes are turned on and off during flower development in a group of plants with special spur structures on their flowers, finding evidence that duplication of a certain gene helped the evolution of these spurs for collecting nectar.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
The Delicate Chemistry of Attraction and Repulsion in Flower Scents
Floral scents play a delicate balancing act, appealing to pollinators while repelling herbivores.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
New DNA Technique Shows Gene Flow Between Garden and Wild Roses
New DNA screening method detects rare but concerning gene flow from garden roses to wild relatives.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Ancient Willow Clones in Italy Estimated to be Over 2000 Years Old
Botanists have found willows in Italy so old that they were standing when Caesar crossed the Rubicon.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Plants Feel Touch in Their Veins
New research reveals plant leaf veins act as autonomous touch sensors, firing off rapid electrical signals when mechanically stimulated.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
The Secret Genetic Code of Invasive Plants
Scientists uncover how the amount of DNA and number of chromosome sets make certain plants genetic supervillains when they invade new regions.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Climate Change Alters the Chemical Arms Race Between Flowers and Butterflies
Scientists find that common floral compounds become more toxic to butterflies at higher temperatures, complicating projections of climate change impacts.