Tomato plant varieties resistant to bacterial wilt have the ability to restrict bacterial movement in the plant. Researchers discovered that these plants synthesize reinforcement coatings containing ligno-suberin and related phenolic compounds, providing a physico-chemical barrier against pathogen colonization.
Researchers from CRAG and IRTA identify the MYB10 genes responsible for anthocyanin production in Japanese plums, leading to a highly efficient tool for early selection of colored fruits. This breakthrough has significant implications for breeding programs, reducing time and resources needed to develop new varieties with desirable traits.
A team of researchers at CSIC and CRAG has discovered a new method to transform chloroplasts in leaves into chromoplasts, which produce high levels of carotenoids. This process can increase the nutritional value of crops and provide a sustainable source for the food and cosmetic industries.
Researchers have identified a small essential clock protein, ELF4, that moves in sync with temperature to coordinate rhythms in shoots and roots. The discovery could provide an advantage for optimal root responsiveness to temperature variations, impacting crop productivity in a climate changing world.
The genome comparison of almond and peach trees sheds light on their evolutionary history and the role of mobile genetic elements in diversification. The study found that transposons may have driven the differences between the two species, including variations in flavor and fruit quality.
A team of researchers has developed MyRoot, an AI-powered software that uses machine learning to analyze root growth of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. The software has been shown to reduce the time required for manual measurements by approximately half and provide more precise root length measurements.
Researchers at CRAG have discovered that chloroplasts play a key role in regulating the shade avoidance syndrome in plants, allowing them to optimize photosynthesis. This discovery has important implications for improving crop productivity without increasing land use.
Researchers have created a biotechnological tool to produce antifungal proteins in plants, offering a sustainable solution to combat fungal infections. The new compounds have shown potential in protecting crops and humans from pathogens, improving food security and human health.
Researchers at CRAG have successfully generated plants with enhanced drought resistance by modifying steroid hormone signaling, a major breakthrough in agriculture. These drought-resistant plants exhibit improved water-stress tolerance without compromising growth.
The circadian clock controls the speed of cell division and growth in synchronization with day and night cycles, regulating key cell cycle genes. The discovery has implications for understanding plant growth and productivity, as well as potential therapeutic tools to delay tumor development in humans.
Scientists at CRAG have found that plant cells know when to stop growing by detecting their size, allowing for coordinated division, elongation, and differentiation. This process is also linked to the effect of steroid hormones, such as brassinosteroids, on root growth.
A research team led by Elena Monte discovered that proteins acting sequentially in the plant internal clock limit growth until nightfall. The CDF5 gene induces stem growth just before dawn, regulated by PIF and PRR clock proteins.
Researchers at CRAG have discovered a key gene (HsfA2) that activates chaperone synthesis to rescue cells from toxic effects of misfolded proteins. This mechanism is similar to those found in human nerve cells and may help understand and treat protein-misfolding diseases.
A team from CRAG has found that the regulation of protein activity through SUMOylation is crucial for plants to protect themselves against fungal infections. Plants with compromised SUMOylation show increased susceptibility to necrotrophic fungal infections.
Researchers from CRAG and Sequentia Biotech have developed transgenic plants that produce twice as much artemisinin as traditional plants. The study identifies the AaMYB1 gene involved in artemisinin synthesis and trichome formation, offering a potential solution to reduce production costs and make antimalarial drugs more accessible.