The Danforth Center is collaborating with the University of Illinois to identify genetic variants impacting photosynthesis and nitrogen uptake in maize. This project aims to improve crop yields while reducing fertilizer usage, offering economic and environmental benefits.
The US Department of Energy is awarding $13.5 million to improve sorghum's productivity under resource-limited conditions. This project will lead to strategies to increase plant biomass and more water-efficient sorghum crop systems, benefiting the rural economy and advancing a carbon-neutral energy market.
Researchers sequenced the entire genome of Oropetium thomaeum, a grass species that can regrow after drought. The study provides insights into its drought tolerance mechanisms and could lead to improved crop yields in water-scarce conditions.
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center used the world's largest single-celled organism, Caulerpa taxifolia, to investigate the nature of structure and form in plants. They found that different parts of the cell show distinctly different RNA patterns, which are also shared with land plants.
A team of scientists has developed a new way to identify genes important for photosynthesis in maize and rice, which can be used for crop improvement. The findings also revealed new pathways and information about how plants fix carbon, helping to prioritize candidate genes for enhancing growth and yield.
A plant scientist has applied morphometric analysis to violin design, revealing parallels between leaf shapes and instrument design. The study found that specific shape attributes differentiate instruments and correlate with historical time, demonstrating the influence of history, imitation, and genetics on violin evolution.
Heterotrimeric G proteins play significant roles in plant development, including fruit and seed size and production, defense against pests and pathogens, and response to abiotic stresses. Research by Sona Pandey and collaborators showed that elevated G protein quantities in Camelina sativa led to increased seed production and size.
African farmers face devastating losses due to cassava brown streak disease. Researchers have made progress in developing virus-resistant cassava using RNA interference technology, pointing towards improved cassava productivity and economic growth for the region.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has received a five-year, $12.1 million grant to develop a new model plant system, Setaria viridis, to advance bioenergy grasses as a sustainable source of renewable fuels. The research focuses on improving drought resistance and water efficiency in these crops.
Using the foxtail millet genome as a reference, researchers have developed genetic tools for switchgrass, a promising biofuels feedstock. The high-quality genome allows for efficient transformation methods and understanding of adaptation mechanisms, making it an ideal model system for studying grasses.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how to treat the lethal norovirus, which causes severe gastroenteritis. The study reveals that antibodies can bind to the virus's unique structure, potentially leading to the development of more effective vaccines and treatments.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $1.3 million grant to support research aimed at reducing fertilizer usage in maize production. The project, led by Ivan Baxter, will focus on identifying genes controlling the elemental composition of maize and their interaction with soil conditions.
The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Project has selected two projects from the Danforth Plant Science Center to develop genetic resources for bioenergy grasses. The projects will focus on improving biomass production and stress tolerance in crops such as switchgrass, sorghum, and Miscanthus.
The Danforth Plant Science Center has been awarded a $5.5 million grant from the US Department of Energy to research the oilseed plant camelina as a potential replacement for petroleum-based fuels. The project aims to develop an enhanced variety of camelina that produces more oil per acre, increasing its carbon uptake and efficiency.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center will develop two cassava varieties resistant to CBSD and CMD, aiming to improve crop yield in Sub Saharan Africa. The project has received $11.9 million in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Monsanto Fund, Howard Buffett Foundation, and USAID.
Researchers at The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center have discovered that green tea polyphenols can control a deadly congenital disease by hijacking the ADP activation site. This finding has also been validated in two types of tumors, glioblastomas and tuberous sclerosis complex disorder, suggesting potential for drug development.
Researchers at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center develop approach to accelerate reduction of cyanogen, increase root protein levels, and enhance nutritional value. The results could prove beneficial to millions suffering from malnutrition worldwide.
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center developed a corn variety resistant to fungal infection using a naturally found killer protein made by a virus. The single gene approach offers hope for effective solutions to control other pathogenic fungi and reduce crop losses.