Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can obtain lipids from their host plants, which are essential for their growth and reproduction. This discovery highlights the importance of lipid transfer in these symbiotic relationships, suggesting that AM fungi depend on their hosts for survival and nutrient uptake.
Researchers found that hemocyanin, an oxygen-transporting protein, is highly expressed in Asian citrus psyllids infected with the bacterium causing citrus greening. The protein may signal an immune response to infection and could be harnessed to help control disease spread.
Researchers have sequenced the dry jujube genome, identifying key factors in sugar and acid content, and genes involved in breeding compatibility. This knowledge will aid breeders in creating improved jujube varieties.
The whitefly's genome has expanded families of detoxification genes and acquired 142 genes from bacteria or fungi that enable it to feed on diverse plants and evolve resistance to insecticides. This discovery will aid in the development of new control strategies using RNA interference to combat this global pest.
Researchers have developed free online tools to improve crop breeding, including molecular breeding tools that enable breeders to select the best parental lines and perform marker-assisted backcrossing. These tools are being used in Africa to develop corn varieties with greater resistance to viruses.
VirusDetect is a free, open-source bioinformatics pipeline that analyzes small RNA datasets to identify both known and novel viruses. Researchers can predict the presence of RNA viruses, DNA viruses, and viroids using an antiviral defense system called RNA interference (RNAi).
A team of scientists has identified three new enzymes responsible for terpene production in corn, which attracts parasitic wasps that consume caterpillars. This discovery could lead to the development of more caterpillar-resistant corn varieties.
The bacterium causing citrus greening disease triggers a gut-wrenching immune response in the insect vector, Asian citrus psyllid. Researchers suggest targeting cell death in the midgut to prevent bacterial spread.
Researchers at the Boyce Thompson Institute have discovered a new receptor in tomato plants called FLAGELLIN-SENSING 3 (FLS3) that triggers defenses against bacterial attacks. FLS3 detects a part of the flagellum protein and helps tomatoes defend against bacteria with altered flagellin shapes.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute developed a new method for transforming tomatoes by adding plant hormone auxin to the medium, reducing the time required from 17 weeks to just 11 weeks. This breakthrough enables scientists to speed up the breeding of more productive crops, ultimately improving food security and sustainability.
The sequencing of the tobacco hornworm's genome marks a major milestone in understanding insect biology. The genome provides valuable insights into the insect's physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, with potential applications in developing new methods for insect pest management.
Researchers have discovered a novel repair system in algae that can cut out interrupting sequences from proteins, potentially leading to new biotechnological applications such as producing pharmaceuticals or protein products. The study found that chloroplast extracts and light can restore RNA-cutting activity to inactive proteins.
The study reveals that the petunia has a complicated genetic history, having undergone one whole genome triplication shared with all the Solanaceae family. The released parental petunia genomes will be a valuable resource for scientists studying symbiosis, self-fertilization and circadian rhythms.
Researchers at the Boyce Thompson Institute discovered that potato plants boost chemical defenses in their leaves when Guatemalan tuber moth larvae feed on their tubers. This response protects against leaf-eating pests like beet armyworms, allowing plants to maintain sugar production and grow more tubers. The study may help reduce pota...
A novel plant protein, HMGB3, signals tissue damage and activates an immune response in plants, similar to its human counterpart HMGB1. This discovery sheds light on the parallels between plant and human immune systems.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute developed a tissue culture procedure to propagate the rare and threatened woodland agrimony, multiplying its numbers by 1013. The study aimed to understand why this species is in decline, with results suggesting grazing deer as an important factor.
A recent study found that corn plants may prioritize defense against caterpillars over aphids, potentially making them more susceptible to aphid attacks. This metabolic trade-off could lead to the development of new corn varieties with naturally increased resistance to certain insects.
A new study has identified 138 genes essential for plant-fungal symbiosis, which could lead to the development of crop varieties that thrive without fertilizers. This discovery was made possible by comparing genome sequences of plants with and without this symbiotic relationship.
Researchers have discovered that aphids deplete all the amino acids in sugary sap they consume and then break them down to build essential amino acids from scratch. This process allows the insects to survive on an unbalanced diet, similar to other animals with gut microbes or symbionts that provide additional nutrition.
A $1.2 million DOE grant will support the development of biosensors to track phosphate movement in real-time, enabling more efficient use of symbiotic relationships between plants and AM fungi. This technology has broad applications beyond biofuels, benefiting economically important crops worldwide.
A study found that aspirin's breakdown product salicylic acid blocks cell death associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease by inhibiting the GAPDH enzyme. Derivatives of salicylic acid may hold promise for treating multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study reveals helpful bacteria living inside the Asian citrus psyllid affect its ability to spread the citrus greening disease pathogen. The infection alters the insect's metabolism and triggers an immune response, potentially increasing the pathogen's transmission.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have discovered a gene in wild tomato species that imparts resistance to the bacteria causing speck, a devastating disease affecting NY tomato crops. The gene, qRph1, has been mapped and is being used to develop resistant varieties of cultivated tomatoes.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have made a breakthrough in developing cold-tolerant corn plants by increasing Rubisco enzyme levels, which can help them withstand harsh winter conditions. The new technology could enable farmers to harvest twice and increase crop yields.
A $6.5 million USDA grant is supporting genomic-assisted breeding efforts for cucurbits, aiming to reduce disease problems in squash and melons. Researchers will use genomics techniques to identify genetic markers for disease resistance, enabling breeders to develop more robust crop varieties.
Researchers identified salicylic acid as a powerful inhibitor of HMGB1, a protein linked to various diseases. The findings may lead to the development of more effective aspirin-like drugs.
Scientists at Boyce Thompson Institute have used RNAseq to track gene expression in maize leaves, revealing that entire suites of genes are turned on and off as the leaf develops. The study provides an unprecedented view of the genetic circuitry of the leaf and has significant implications for agriculture and bioenergy.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have discovered a complex sequence of events that create distinction between protoxylem and metaxylem cells. MicroRNA 165/6 moves out from its source cells to dissolve target messenger RNAs, leading to specific cell types developing in plants.
A team of life scientists and computer researchers, led by Thomas Brutnell, is working on the iPlant project to develop a computational pipeline for processing ultra-high-throughput sequence datasets. The goal is to make it easier to analyze large datasets and predict plant responses to environmental changes.
Researchers discovered that a family of ascarosides controls both sexual attraction and long-lived dauer larva stages in C. elegans worms. This finding represents the first direct link between reproduction and lifespan through small molecules.
Researchers in Costa Rica have successfully restored a tropical rainforest ecosystem by planting mixed-species tree plantations on worn-out pasture land. The project, led by Carl Leopold, has shown promising results, with native species and fungi helping to control erosion and support growth.
Researchers discovered a bacterial protein that mimics a plant cell's programmed cell death (PCD) mechanism, rendering the pathogen harmless. The study sheds light on immunity and offers potential applications in controlling crop and human diseases.