The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) has recognized outstanding achievements in plant biology with its 2025 awards. The awards honor distinction in service, outreach, education, and research, recognizing the contributions of plant biologists worldwide.
The American Society of Plant Biologists is searching for a new Editor-in-Chief to drive the editorial direction of Plant Physiology. The successful candidate will have a vision for the journal's future and be responsible for elevating its profile within the community.
Brian Gregory joins The Plant Cell editorial team with expertise in molecular biology, epigenetics, and RNA silencing. He will handle papers with conflicts of interest, develop focus issues, and oversee post-publication corrections.
The ASPB has appointed five plant biologists as the 2025 Plantae Editors, who will engage and grow the Plantae community alongside the 2025 Fellows. They will facilitate connections across the global plant science community, lead teams, and provide content development expertise.
A new study published in The Plant Cell has identified a genetic element controlling cold-induced sweetening (CIS) in potatoes. CIS is a major production problem for the potato processing industry, causing undesirable dark brown-black color when potatoes are fried.
A new study published in Plant Physiology reveals the mysterious growth habit of weeping peach trees by identifying a protein called WEEP. The study shows how the protein establishes asymmetric auxin gradients, leading to shoots growing downwards like roots.
Recent discoveries on biomolecular condensates in plants reveal their potential to regulate transcriptional machineries and cellular processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing innovative solutions to improve crop resilience and address climate change.
Plant Science Saturday is a free event hosted by the American Society of Plant Biologists, offering interactive discovery stations on plant biology, ecology, and conservation. The event aims to inspire excitement and curiosity about plants among families in the Savannah area.
Speakers at ASPB's Presidential Symposium highlight the critical role of plants in human history and society. Key findings include the importance of traditional knowledge and genomics in enhancing local well-being and promoting sustainable development.
The ASPB's annual conference addresses global issues in plant biology, exploring ways to increase food productivity and sequester carbon. Experts discuss advances in agricultural systems, genome editing, and artificial intelligence to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) has selected five plant biologists to serve as Conference Correspondents at Plant Biology 2023. Xiaohui Li, Solène Moulin, Idowu Arinola Obisesan, Kaushik Panda, and Charlay Wood will provide summaries of the conference via a daily email newsletter.
Researchers have identified a series of traits linked to rice plant fitness under drought, including increased crown root density. The study found that interactions between roots and beneficial soil organisms may enhance drought tolerance by improving access to nutrients.
CAM photosynthesis, used by arid plants, is introduced into C3 plants to reduce water loss. The study reveals alternative metabolic modes can provide environment-specific benefits under certain conditions, helping prepare for growing food crops in increasingly hot and dry temperate environments.
Researchers sequence and dissect the structure of the extrachromosomal DNA replicon underlying glyphosate resistance in Palmer amaranth. The eccDNA replicon contains 59 genes, including the EPSPS gene, which shows higher expression after glyphosate treatment.
A recent study found that a fungus containing N2-fixing endobacteria improves rice nitrogen nutrition, increasing biomass and ammonium in treated plants. The three-kingdom interaction among the fungus, bacteria, and plant may hold the key to improving nitrogen nutrition in crop plants.
Researchers have identified the gene Xanthophyll acyl-transferase (Xat) as the key to lutein esterification in bread wheat. This process increases carotenoid stability and retention during storage, maintaining nutritional quality. The discovery opens new opportunities for improving cereal nutrition and addressing carotenoid degradation.
Seeds with extra genomes undergo interploidy seed abortion due to defective endosperm development. Researchers found that RNA Pol IV silences gene expression from transposons and repetitive DNA, playing a key role in seed abortion.
A team of researchers has identified a genetic variant, CsFUL1A, that modulates fruit length in cucumbers. The study found that decreased expression of CsFUL1A leads to longer fruits, while increased expression results in shorter fruits.
Researchers found that increasing miR397 levels in domesticated rice plants resulted in traits similar to wild rice, including long stems and few flowering structures. Transgenic expression of the gene encoding miR397 partially de-domesticated rice, boosting grain production and improving resilience.
Scientists have identified a crucial gene controlling stem juiciness in sorghum, which could enhance drought tolerance but also increase disease susceptibility. The discovery has significant implications for breeding and improving crop yields.
Scientists have identified a promising plant compound, montbretin A, that inhibits pancreatic alpha-amylase activity and reduces blood glucose levels. The discovery of the biosynthetic pathway for this compound lays the groundwork for its potential use as an anti-diabetes drug.
A team of scientists discovered a gene that helps rice plants grow in salty soil. The gene, STRK1, increases the plant's tolerance to salt stress by reducing reactive oxygen species.
Scientists developed a new approach to improve nitrogen use and promote flowering in rice by overexpressing the OsNRT1.1A gene. This led to increased yields of over 30% in field trials and accelerated maturation by one to two weeks.
A model plant study reveals a previously unknown pathway for genetic material exchange in germ cells, crucial for understanding Fanconi anemia disease. The study identifies the key protein FANCD2's important function in meiotic crossover formation.
A new open-source device called ACME enables scientists to measure spatial variation in the mechanical properties of plant cells with unprecedented accuracy. The device can help understand mechanisms of plant growth and develop conditions that promote plant cell wall extensibility, enhancing plant growth at the cellular level.
The ASPB Plant BLOOME Grant supports education and outreach projects that advance youth knowledge and appreciation of plant biology. Two winners received funding for comics and interactive videoconferencing resources to engage students in learning about plant science.
The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) has selected a group of exceptional undergraduate researchers to participate in its Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. These talented students will work under the guidance of renowned mentors to explore various aspects of plant biology, including gene regulation, pla...
A critical regulator of EUI1 gene expression in rice, HOX12, has been identified as a central regulator of panicle extension. This discovery holds promise for fine-tuning panicle extension and improving hybrid rice seed production.
Researchers have solved the mystery of black rice's origin and spread, revealing a genetic basis for its color. The trait arose due to a rearrangement in a gene called Kala4, which activates anthocyanin production, and was later transferred into other varieties through crossbreeding.
A recent study reveals that a regulatory gene called NAC016 plays a crucial role in turning off drought-response pathways in plants. This discovery offers new insights into how to develop drought-tolerant crop plants through conventional breeding or biotechnological approaches.
Fistulifera solaris, a diatom microalga, is found to grow quickly and produce high levels of oils simultaneously. Its genome and transcriptome analyses provide insights into its characteristics, making it an excellent candidate for batch culture biofuel production.
Researchers have discovered fungal genes associated with the devastating witches' broom disease of the chocolate tree. The study identified 1,967 unique genes and 8,617 fungal genes active in infected green brooms, providing a new basis for developing targeted treatments.
The American Society of Plant Biologists announced its 2014 award recipients, recognizing outstanding contributions to plant biology research, education, and service. The Charles Albert Shull Award went to Libo Shan for her work on plant-microbe interactions, while the Charles Reid Barnes Life Membership Award was awarded to James N. S...
Researchers identified highly conserved non-coding sequences in plant genomes, associated with basic biological processes like development and gene regulation. These findings suggest that non-coding DNA can have important functions beyond protein encoding.
The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) recognizes outstanding achievements in plant biology through its 2013 awards. The recipients include Natasha Raikhel for her contributions to protein trafficking and service to the discipline, as well as Robert Turgeon for his work on phloem transport.
Researchers identify novel enzyme involved in β-1,4-galactan production, which can be used to engineer plants for increased biofuel efficiency. The study reveals a family of proteins named GT92 that play a crucial role in pectin synthesis.
Recent research reveals that the spiral pattern of leaf formation affects the symmetry of tomato and Arabidopsis leaves. The study found measurable anatomical differences between the left and right sides of both young and mature leaves, identifying a previously overlooked axis of asymmetry.
This year, ASPB honored researchers for their contributions to plant development, photosynthesis, and plant nutrition. Winners included Stephen Long for his discoveries on photosynthesis responses to environmental changes and Elizabeth Ainsworth for her research on global change impacts on plant ecosystems.
The American Society of Plant Biologists has announced seven winners of the Women's Young Investigator Travel Award, providing $1000 travel grants for female investigators in their first five years as independent scientists. The program aims to increase attendance at the annual meeting and support women in plant biology.
Researchers have discovered that a retrotransposon element is responsible for inducing anthocyanin production in blood oranges when exposed to cold conditions. This finding has significant implications for the future of blood orange production, potentially allowing for reliable worldwide cultivation and increasing their availability as...
Scientists identify a gene that controls hemicellulose acetylation, a major obstacle to producing biofuels from non-food sources. Blocking this enzyme could lead to a 10% reduction in bioethanol price and pave the way for more cost-effective production of biofuels.
The American Society of Plant Biologists has named 12 plant biology researchers as science education mentors for the PlantingScience Master Plant Science Team. This program enables middle and high school students to develop practical, insightful research skills while investigating plant themes.
The USDA has awarded $40 million to the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) and the University of Washington to produce domestic aviation fuel using sustainable wood biomass. The projects aim to overcome technical barriers, such as lignin breakdown, to make woody materials viable for biofuel production.
The ASPB Education Foundation has awarded $105,700 to four recipients to enhance the public's understanding of plant science. The grants support projects such as the Plants iView initiative, which aims to communicate plant science to a general audience, and the development of educational resources for K-12 education.
The American Society of Plant Biologists has awarded 15 summer undergraduate research fellowships to outstanding students for meaningful plant biology research early in their college careers. The fellowships support each student's presentation of a poster at the annual meeting, promoting undergraduate research in plant science.
Laccase enzymes have been found to contribute significantly to lignification in Arabidopsis, playing a central role in the formation of this biopolymer. The study's findings suggest that genetic engineering of laccases could lead to improved saccharification and biofuel production.
A $4.7 million grant from the USDA will strengthen K-12 education related to sustainable bioenergy production in northern Wisconsin. The POSOH project aims to connect researchers, educators, and students from diverse backgrounds to prepare rural youth for bioenergy- and sustainability-related careers.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $101.9 million to ASPB member researchers under its Plant Genome Research Program, advancing plant genomics and improving agricultural productivity. The projects will also engage the public in outreach and educational activities.
A naturally occurring variant of cassava has been found to accumulate high levels of provitamin A carotenoids, offering a potential solution to vitamin A deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa. Transgenic approaches can also be used to increase the enzyme phytoene synthase, leading to increased carotenoid synthesis and biofortification of co...
Nine Plant Feedstocks Genomics for Bioenergy awards have been given to ASPB members, who will explore ways to enhance productivity, yield and sustainability of plants as sources of biofuels. Researchers will investigate the role of microRNAs, small RNA molecules and genetic diversity in improving bioenergy crops.