It’s been an awkward week, this week. I still haven’t fixed the email problem, but I have found that if I break the site in another limited way, I can prevent the rogue emails from going out. An additional problem is that I have family commitments for the next month, which might involve rapid unscheduled travel. This limits my ability to plan.

Fortunately, I have seen that we have some posts ready for publishing. One explains why domestication can cause trouble for plant defences, and it’s not simply about cloning. Another is on the importance of preserving cultural diversity to protect biodiversity. There will also be another edition of the Week in Botany with the news items and scientific papers that you’re sharing next week, though if things go badly, there might be fewer jobs than usual, as that takes up a lot of the time. Until then, take care.

Alun (webmaster@botany.one)

On Botany One

Dmitry Sokoloff: “Be Fascinated by Plant Diversity”
Botany One interviews Dr. Dmitry Sokoloff, a speaker at the “Evolutionary History of the Gnetales” symposium held during Botany 2025.

Breaking Plant Blindness, One Taylor Swift Song at a Time
Using Taylor Swift music videos in botany classes can make students more interested in plants, helping them learn better and notice the important role plants play in our world.

Seedling emergence is catastrophically affected by depth of volcanic ash
5 cm of volcanic ash leads to the loss of seedling emergence on the volcanic island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, likely affecting succession for decades after a recent eruption.

…and last’s week’s Week in Botany with Dr Grace Gachara on microbial communities, and how urban gardens are not all alike.

News & Views

The Trump Administration Dismisses the Endangered Species List as ‘Hotel California.’ But There’s Far More to the Story
A small percentage of species protected by the law have ever recovered, but an even smaller fraction have gone extinct. With all the threats they face, including long-shrinking federal support, that’s an achievement, scientists note.

A technical report on the impacts of federal policies since January 20, 2025 on Ecology, evolution and marine science: Summer 2025
A number of actions of the executive branch of the US federal government, starting on January 20 2025, resulted in massive restructuring of the federal workforce and changes to historical norms. To understand these impacts, a survey was distributed to tens of thousands of members of scientific societies in the fields of ecology, evolution, and marine science.

Plant biologist Lucia Strader joins Salk faculty to study plant growth signaling
The Salk Institute will welcome plant biologist Lucia Strader as a new professor and holder of the Howard H. and Maryam R. Newman Chair in Plant Biology in October 2025. Strader is an internationally recognized leader in plant hormone biology who was previously based at Duke University.

“Ferns”: the most beautiful book I’ve held in a while
I’ve always been fond of ferns – the plants, that is. Now I’m fond of Ferns, the book, too.

Among the Academies: Studying How Plants Adapt
How can plants adapt to their environment, and how will they be able to adapt to climate change? Those are among the biggest questions Johanna Schmitt has sought to answer during her career as a plant geneticist and evolutionary ecologist.

Bluesky now platform of choice for science community
Marine biologist and conservationist David Shiffman was an early power user and evangelist for science engagement on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Over the years, he trained more than 2,000 early career scientists on how to best use the platform for professional goals: networking with colleagues, sharing new scientific papers, and communicating with interested members of the public.

Deforestation has killed half a million people in past 20 years, study finds
Localised rises in temperature caused by land clearance cause 28,330 heat-related deaths a year, researchers find.

Research posts on Bluesky are more original — and get better engagement
Posts about research on Bluesky receive substantially more attention than similar posts on X, formerly called Twitter, according to the first large-scale analysis of science content on Bluesky. The results suggest that Bluesky users engage with posts more than do users of X.

The climate case for planting trees has been overhyped — but it’s not too late to fix it
The climate benefits of planting trees may have been greatly overestimated, but swift action could ensure reforestation meets its potential to curb dangerous emissions, new research has found.

After 160 years, an old drawing leads scientists to a long-lost Sri Lanka orchid
After 160 years, scientists in Sri Lanka have rediscovered Vanda thwaitesii, a delicate tropical Asian orchid, by referring to scientific drawings to make the connection.

A sceptical look at plants
Nigel Chaffey reviews The sceptical botanist: Separating fact from fiction by Tim Entwisle.

Tree-hugging tournament surely barking mad, but could it take root?
With the fun and games of the Fringe over, many of us will be looking for our next dopamine fix. Fortunately, Glasgow leaps into the breach to bring us the Scottish Tree Hugging Tournament at Darnel Country Park on September 7.

This Week in Botany

5 Years Ago: Floras of the Future: A look at Flora of North America Online

10 Years Ago: Question: when is a seed not a seed?

15 Years Ago: Dating the Pharaohs

Scientific Papers

Molecular mimicry of plant cell-surface immune receptors by fungal secreted leucine-rich repeat proteins (FREE)
Leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) are important plant immunity proteins. The wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici produces many virulence effectors during infection; however, most remain uncharacterised. Ali et al identified a secreted protein from Z. tritici (ZtLRR) that consists of a single LRR domain and hypothesised that it mimics host LRR-RLKs to suppress plant immunity.

Actin Counters Geometry to Guide Plant Cell Division (FREE)
Combining cell biology, genetics, pharmacological treatments, 3D segmentation, and modelling, Goldy et al show that actin is a central molecular actor required to establish cell division orientation against the geometrical rules, highlighting its role in integrating spatial information.

A cytological framework of female meiosis in Arabidopsis (FREE)
Female and male meiosis often differ in many aspects, such as their duration and the frequency as well as the positioning of crossovers. However, studying female meiosis is often very challenging and thus, much less is known about female versus male meiosis in many species including plants. To approach this gap, Hu et al have developed a live-cell imaging system for female meiocytes in Arabidopsis.

Coordinated actions of NLR-assembled and glutamate receptor–like calcium channels in plant effector-triggered immunity (FREE)
A major barrier to microbial infection in plants is mediated by large families of intracellular nucleotide-binding/leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors recognizing pathogen attack. Significant advances have been made in understanding mechanisms of NLR activation and early signaling, with some NLRs functioning as pathogen-induced oligomeric Ca2+ permeable ion channels which promote host transcriptional changes and cell death at pathogen infection sites. The next steps in immune response execution remain obscure. Wang et al identify and characterize a pair of glutamate receptor–like (GLR) Ca2+ ion channels as one important NLR-controlled transcriptional immune output.

A FLOE-related protein regulates the two-dimensional to three-dimensional growth transition in the moss Physcomitrium patens (FREE)
The moss Physcomitrium patens has recently been developed as a model system in which to dissect the genetic basis of 3D growth, a unifying feature of all land plants. The cytokinin-unresponsive nog1-R mutant incorrectly orients division planes in developing buds and thus fails to make the transition to 3D growth. To reveal the genetic interactors of the NOG1 gene, which encodes a protein with a C-terminal UBA domain, we performed a screen and identified the suppressor of nog1a (snog1a) mutant.

Revisiting the cry-for-help hypothesis in plant–microbe interactions ($)
The ‘cry-for-help hypothesis’ (CHH) is broadly used to study how root exudate modulation under stress influences recruitment of beneficial microbes in the rhizosphere. Tharp et al explored common misconceptions and limitations of the CHH and advocate for the reassessment of this prevalent hypothesis to unfold the ecological complexities of plant–microbe interactions.

Chromoprotein-modified plant pathogenic bacteria: tools for experimental tracking and visualization (FREE)
In this study, different species of plant pathogenic bacteria (Xylella fastidiosa, Pantoea stewartii, Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas campestris) were modified with a set of chromoproteins and tested in plant infection assays to evaluate chromoprotein stability and impact on bacterial pathogenicity. Chromoprotein modification by chromosomal insertion was highly successful in X. fastidiosa, and stable during infection in grapevines. Plasmid-based expression of chromoproteins in P. stewartii, P. syringae, and X. campestris had mixed results depending on the specific species-chromoprotein combination.

Plant cells at the organ surface use mechanical cues to activate a specific growth control programme (FREE)
Epidermal identity is widely considered essential for plant morphogenesis due to the role of the epidermis in both restricting and promoting growth. In the root, epidermal cells are partially covered by a protective root cap, and partially positioned at the organ surface. Nemec Venza et al propose that epidermal cells at the organ surface have unique requirements for growth control due to high mechanical tension, while covered epidermal cells are mechanically shielded by the root cap.

An activated wheat CCG10-NLR immune receptor forms an octameric resistosome
Nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptors (NLRs) are widespread intracellular immune sensors across kingdoms. In plants, the G10-type coiled-coil (CCG10)-NLRs form a distinct phylogenetic clade that remains poorly characterized. Guo et al identified a gain-of-function (GOF) mutant of Wheat Autoimmunity 3 (WAI3), designated WAI3GOF, which encodes a constitutively activated CCG10-NLR protein due to an amino acid substitution.

Mechanisms, Detection, and Impact of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Plant Functional Evolution (FREE)
Horizontal gene transfers (HGT) have been observed across the tree of life. While their adaptive importance in bacteria is conspicuous, the occurrence of HGT and their evolutionary significance in Eukaryotes has only recently started to be considered. In this review, Mariault et al explore the extent of HGT in the plant kingdom, indicating the widespread occurrence of microbe – plant HGT and Plant – Plant HGT.

In AoBC Publications

Careers

Note: These are posts that have been advertised around the web. They are not posts that I personally offer, nor can I arrange the visa for you to work internationally.

Associate Professor (or Professor) in Plant Sciences, Oxford
We are seeking a researcher and teacher with outstanding potential to bring exciting new perspectives in the area of molecular plant biology at the University of Oxford. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic new Department with a culture that values, innovation, collegiality, and scholarship. The successful candidate will start 1 September 2026.

ICCP Researcher/Red Listing Co-ordinator, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
RGBE is seeking a dedicated ICCP Researcher/Red Listing Co-ordinator to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will support our commitment to conifer conservation through global research and coordination, by facilitating Red List assessments, and developing species conservation plans. Your expertise will be integral to RBGE’s leadership in international conifer conservation and the effective delivery of our wider red listing activities.

Research Assistant, Norwich
An opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant, with experience of microbiology and scientific imaging, to conduct research into bacterial circadian rhythms. This will contribute to the ERC-funded programme “MicroClock” and an affiliated BBSRC project, which focus on the mechanisms and ecology of circadian programs in Bacillus subtilis.

Seed Science Junior Technician, London
The postholder will be based within the research team of Professor Gerhard Leubner and Dr Tina Steinbrecher in the Seed Biology and Technology Laboratory at Royal Holloway. The main task for this post is to provide technical support for the MimicWeed project (benchwork), especially with conducting seed dormancy and screening assay and preparing samples for analytics. The Seed Science Junior Technician is further expected to support the operational management of the Seed Biology and Technology Team (SBTT) including by conducting ordering, keeping COSSH forms and the chemical list updated, providing training in standard research techniques, and taking care of the Seed Technology Platform equipment.

Research Technician (Fixed Term), Nottingham
We are seeking a Research Technician to work on an exciting project investigating the role of the microbiome in providing resilience to multi-stress environments in Anthony Bishopp’s lab (Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, UK). This research is part of a trilateral grant in Climate Proofing Agriculture, involving partners in the USA (Eric Lam’s group Rutgers) and Germany (Hardy Rolletscheck’s group, IPK Gatersleben). The project will investigate how a range of abiotic stresses interact to impact plant growth and explore the role that the microbiome has in providing stress resilience.

Post Doctoral Research Fellow (FTC), Nottingham
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position to work on a project seeking to identify anatomical and physiological mechanisms underlying maize yield stability under conditions of reduced water availability in the laboratory of Dr. Gabriel Castrillo (Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, UK). The purpose of this role is to support a multidisciplinary BBSRC-funded project “Future proofing plants through enhancement of yield stability in water-limited environments”.

Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Plant Science (Fixed Term), Nottingham
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on an exciting project investigating the role of the microbiome in providing resilience to multi-stress environments in Anthony Bishopp’s lab (Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, UK). This research is part of a trilateral grant in Climate Proofing Agriculture, involving partners in the USA (Eric Lam’s group Rutgers) and Germany (Hardy Rolletscheck’s group, IPK Gatersleben). The project will investigate how a range of abiotic stresses interact to impact plant growth and explore the role that the microbiome has in providing stress resilience.

PhD-researcher to study cell wall integrity signaling in plants, using tip-growing root hair cells as a model, Antwerp
The Faculty of Sciences of the University of Antwerp is looking for a full-time PhD-researcher to study cell wall integrity signaling in plants, using tip-growing root hair cells as a model. This exceptionally dynamic and elegant pathway is still poorly understood, yet it is crucial for plant development and its interaction with the biotic and abiotic environment.

University Lecturer in Biostatistics, Helsinki
The university lecturer will be primarily responsible for teaching statistics and scientific computing courses at the bachelor’s level, with possible contributions to master’s-level teaching within the Faculty. The university lecturer will develop teaching in this field together with other teachers in the program, act as a supervising teacher, guide thesis work, and conduct scientific research. The teaching duties of university lecturers in the Faculty account for 40-60% of the total working time.

Doctoral Researcher positions, Doctoral Programme in Biology, Geography and Geology (BGG), Turku
The position of a doctoral researcher is set to begin on 1 January 2026 at the earliest and for the duration of a maximum of four years (up to until 31 December 2029). The positions are intended for full-time doctoral dissertation research and postgraduate studies. Duties other than those related to doctoral dissertation research, such as teaching duties, must be proportioned so as not to compromise the completion of the doctoral dissertation within the planned schedule. As a rule, up to 5% (a maximum of about 80 hrs per academic year) of the annual working time of the doctoral researcher can consist of departmental duties including teaching.

Researcher in physical chemistry and characterization of biomimetic materials derived from plant cell walls M/F, Grenoble
The successful candidate will join the Glycomaterials Structure and Properties team at the Center for Research on Plant Macromolecules (CERMAV) in Grenoble. He/she will work under the supervision of Dr. Laurent HEUX as part of the WALLMAT project of the PEPER B-BEST program, which focuses on the valorization of polymers derived from biomass and involves six different laboratories (https://www.pepr-bioproductions.fr/eng/funded-projects/biomass-characterization/wallmat). The aim of this scientific project is to reconstruct new materials similar to the natural structure of plant cell walls from co-products and residues from the agri-food industry.

Postdoc (M/F) Forces exerted by swelling granular media using seeds and hydrogel beads, St Martin d’Heres
The main objective of the post-doc is to understand the physics of imbibition of these granular media. First we will tackle the temporal dynamics of imbibition of single seeds/grains in water, using seeds as chickpeas because of their near spherical shapes. Histological sections will be performed to understand which cells are swelling. Second we will measure the forces exerted by grains when they are hydrated confined in spaces, such as in between two planes, in a tube or within a chamber. Third we will generalize this findings with different types of plant seeds or artificial hydrogel materials. Finally, we aim at using this granular media as an autonomous media to exert pressures by sole imbibition reproducing the phenomenon of turgor pressure.

Assistant Professor in Microbiome Imaging and Functional Analysis, Amsterdam
As Assistant Professor, you will contribute novel perspectives on microbial community organization and function using biotechnology, advanced molecular labelling and spatial profiling approaches. Your work may address any ecological system, from host-associated microbiomes to environmental microbial consortia, where molecular aspects of spatial structure and community interactions are key. Your expertise will complement existing expertise in The Microbiome Engineering group and the broader Microbiology Theme and will allow strong collaborations with both experimental and big data-driven research groups within the Swammerdam Institute, ranging from developmental biology to plant biology and neuroscience.

Postdoc Position: Plant Biodiversity and Drought on Estuarine Dikes, Nijmegen
Join the BONSAI project at Radboud University and explore how drought and biodiversity shape the resilience of dike vegetation across Europe. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will conduct fieldwork, experiments, and international collaboration to advance climate adaptation and flood resilience in tidal estuaries.

PhD Research Fellow in global change ecology, Bergen
This PhD project will investigate the patterns, drivers, and consequences of vegetation change in mountainous regions. The overall objectives are to (i) improve process understanding of variation and context-dependencies in biodiversity change, (ii) assess and compare the impacts of multiple global change drivers, and (iii) explore consequences of biodiversity and vegetation changes for ecosystem functioning. The research will leverage existing and initiate new field experiments and observational data on mountain biodiversity and ecosystems.

Senior Ecologist (Integrated Species Conservation Section), Hong Kong
The Senior Ecologist will lead the conceptualisation and delivery of the applied conservation work carried out by the Integrated Species Conservation Section of Flora Conservation Department through the development of research projects, justification of their budgets and direct line management of two technical staff. The Section has proven expertise in blending in-situ and ex-situ approaches to advance the conservation of threatened native plants in Hong Kong and the wider South China region – primarily herbs, shrubs, epiphytes and vines in families including Orchidaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Fabaceae and Asparagaceae – by conducting field-, laboratory- and nursery-based experiments and disseminating findings in the form of scientific papers, reports, policy recommendations, talks, exhibitions, workshops and educational experiences.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Brisbane
This is an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to focus their efforts on developing their expertise and emerging research profile as a Research-focused Academic in the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation at UQ. The Research Fellow will be responsible for leading a tissue culture program for development of micropropagation for vanilla, as part of a CRC-P industry linked project.

Grant-Funded Researcher (B), Adelaide
We are seeking an experienced farming systems agronomy researcher to join a dynamic and multidisciplinary team at the University of Adelaide. This role is part of a significant investment by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) to better understand the drivers of profitability and sustainability in farming systems across Australia’s Southern Grains Region and to generate new insights to support grower decision-making.

Research Technician, Canterbury
Are you passionate about research and ready to make a hands-on contribution? Join a collaborative team at Lincoln University supporting exciting projects in plant and soil science. This role offers a mix of lab work, data analysis, and admin support, with opportunities to grow your skills in a dynamic research environment.