Plant Biochemistry
Articles tagged with Plant Biochemistry
Plants adapt their roots to climate stress
How soil bacteria help plants defend themselves against disease
A hidden promoter switch drives eggplant color in the dark
A new genetic mechanism has been discovered in eggplants, allowing for precision breeding and maintaining attractive pigmentation under variable growing conditions. The study identified a previously unknown promoter switch in the SmMYB113 gene, which enables anthocyanin production even without light.
A new mechanism for light-controlled plant growth
A team at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered a new mechanism behind light-controlled plant growth. Light enhances adhesion between the epidermal and inner tissues in plant stems, allowing plants to strengthen their cell walls and regulate growth.
How do plant roots grow in unpredictable temperatures?
Researchers found that auxin's partner proteins serve as internal plant 'thermostats' that directly sense temperature and change genetic programs to direct root growth accordingly. This discovery could lead to engineering plants that withstand extreme temperatures, protecting crop productivity under challenging conditions.
How plants fight back against bacteria that promote waterlogging in leaves
Researchers discovered that high humidity induces the production of CYP707A3, breaking down ABA and promoting stomata opening to release water. Plants lacking this enzyme are more vulnerable to water-soaking. The study reveals a molecular defense mechanism against water accumulation in plants.
Biochar nanoparticles boost flowering by rewiring plant carbon flow and gene activity
A new study reveals that biochar nanoparticles directly enter plant tissues and enhance flowering by reshaping carbon allocation and regulating key genes. This discovery provides a new explanation for how biochar improves crop performance beyond its effects on soil fertility.
Introducing the “bloom” cycle, or why plants are not stupid
Researchers propose a new biochemical pathway, the 'Bloom cycle,' which converts nitrogen into essential compounds, boosting crop production and nutritional quality. This discovery suggests that photorespiration is not a waste of energy, but rather a vital process for plant survival.
Turning over a new leaf in analyses of natural products
Researchers created an automated method to quickly analyze the metabolic effects of natural products, such as kratom, using high-resolution mass spectrometry and molecular network mapping. This breakthrough provides a detailed view of how chemicals are reshaped by human metabolism, marking a major step in natural products research.
Plant hormone therapy could improve global food security
Researchers at Colorado State University have found a way to boost plant growth while maintaining its immune system through hormone treatment, showing promise for increasing food production. The approach involves genetically manipulating phytohormone interactions to restore cell division and increase disease resistance.
First-of-its-kind automated root imaging platform speeds plant discoveries
The new platform at ORNL's APPL facility combines robotics and AI to deliver in-depth insights for plant transformation. Massive datasets generated by the platform are analyzed using AI and ORNL's Frontier exascale supercomputer.
Hydrogen bonds turn sweetener into lignin bodyguard, boosting biomass yield 42%
Mannitol outperforms other green additives in slowing re-polymerisation of cellulose-lignin linkages, cutting molecular weight and raising hydrogenolysis monomer yield. The additive forms an average of 28 hydrogen bonds per simulation box, effectively capping sites where carbocations normally form.
Plant diversity shapes chemical communication in ecosystems
Researchers found that diverse plant communities emit more complex chemical signals, which can affect individual plants and the entire ecosystem. The study highlights the importance of biodiversity in maintaining natural signaling systems and supports sustainable agriculture practices to promote plant diversity.
Plant discovery could lead to new ways of producing medicines
Scientists at the University of York discovered a plant gene that produces a powerful alkaloid, securinine, in a unique process driven by bacterial-like genes. This finding allows for the mass production of valuable compounds in labs, reducing reliance on rare plants and harsh chemicals.
Researchers revive old pea varieties in huge seed collection: ‘An untapped gold mine for the future’
A new AI method has identified 51 old pea varieties with high starch and protein content, potentially suitable for producing plant-based foods. The study shows a close relationship between seed appearance and chemical composition, enabling partial prediction of properties based on images.
UAlbany researcher wins grant to study impact of PFAs ‘forever chemicals’ on edible crops, food quality
A UAlbany researcher will study how PFAS 'forever chemicals' accumulate in plants, affecting their nutritional quality and safety. The study aims to understand the dynamics of PFAS in soil-plant systems and develop regulatory standards to protect public health.
Chonnam National University scientists discover a molecular switch that protects crops from freezing cold
Researchers at Chonnam National University identified a hidden molecular switch that quickly reprograms root development to withstand cold conditions. The discovery highlights opportunities to protect crops from rising climate instability by enhancing specific signaling pathways or stabilizing key regulators.
Danforth Plant Science Center to lead multi-disciplinary research to enhance stress resilience in bioenergy sorghum
Researchers will leverage genetic diversity and advanced phenotyping to understand sorghum's stress resilience, linking genotype to phenotype through genomics and gene editing. The project aims to develop crops that thrive in stressful environments, informing engineering and breeding strategies for future climates.
Understanding how plants distribute iron to young leaves
A new iron transporter protein, OsIET1, has been identified in rice, crucial for delivering iron to young leaves. The study reveals OsIET1 mediates inter-vascular Fe transfer, promoting optimal plant growth and productivity.
Plants use engineering principles to push through hard soil
Researchers discovered that plants respond to compacted soil by thickening their roots and changing their structure, allowing them to penetrate harder. This mechanism is similar to basic engineering principles, such as a pipe's diameter and outer wall strength affecting its ability to resist buckling.
'Benzoylation flip' turns kenaf yellowing into whitening, opens new route to weather-proof bio-fibers
Researchers achieved hydroxyl groups esterification and lignin dissolution through a two-hour pyridine-benzoyl chloride bath. The resulting fibers became photobleaching and stable under accelerated weathering, with a 15-unit ΔE* swing and 96% plunge in tensile strength.
2025 Tata Transformation Prize recognizes three Indian scientists driving global solutions for people and the planet
The 2025 Tata Transformation Prize recognizes Padubidri V. Shivaprasad's epigenetic engineering for climate-resilient rice, Balasubramanian Gopal's sustainable bio-manufacturing platform using E. coli bacteria, and Ambarish Ghosh's cancer-targeting magnetic nanorobots.
New volume explores India’s wild vegetables and their scientific, nutritional, and cultural value
This book provides an in-depth overview of 120 wild vegetable species from India's Western Ghats biodiversity region, covering their morphology, phytochemistry, traditional uses, and nutritional composition. It connects indigenous knowledge with modern plant science to promote the sustainable use of underutilized edible plants.
Fungal oxalic acid dampens plant immunity through targeting CERK1 deamidation
A study found that fungal oxalic acid (OA) regulates the extracellular domain (ECD) of CERK1 through site-specific deamidation, impairing chitin-triggered plant immunity. This mechanism enables fungal pathogens to suppress host defenses.
Collaborative research team to uncover how plants “remember” and adapt to heat stress
A collaborative research team is studying how photosynthetic cells retain 'heat stress memory', a key adaptive mechanism that could help crops withstand intense heat waves. The team aims to decode this process using genome-scale and high-throughput approaches.
Turbo Platform for Plant Research
Scientists have created a micro-algal platform that allows for automated and fast testing of chloroplast genetic modifications, opening up plant chloroplasts to high-throughput applications. This platform enables researchers to fine-tune genetic circuits and identify which modifications have real potential.
A glimpse into the cell factory: matching gene expression to metabolite production in single plant cells
A new approach allows scientists to directly correlate gene expression with metabolite abundance, enabling the elucidation of complex plant natural product biosynthetic pathways. This method can help identify specialized cell types involved in producing therapeutically relevant chemical compounds.
“Lightest” lignin fraction tames type 2 diabetes in rats
Researchers show low-molecular-weight kraft lignin restores insulin sensitivity and slashes blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The fractionation process is simple, scalable, and cost-effective, positioning lignin as a renewable and non-toxic active ingredient for functional foods or therapies.
How plants regulate adapting to drought
A team of scientists at Heidelberg University has discovered a protein complex in chloroplasts that triggers the closure of microscopic pores on leaves to prevent water loss. This hormone, abscisic acid, is formed via biosynthesis and ensures plant survival during extreme drought conditions.
Announcing the Jane Silverthorne Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The Jane Silverthorne Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides comprehensive support for groundbreaking research in plant science. The program aims to nurture innovative scientists and foster collaboration between disciplines.
Pulp mill waste becomes green solution to remove toxic dyes
University of Arkansas researchers have found a new way to clean wastewater of toxic and carcinogenic dyes commonly used in the garment industry. They developed an environmentally friendly solution using lignin, a low-cost biopolymer derived from plant cell walls.
Atom-precise agriculture: The future of eco-friendly crop protection
Scientists developed a novel single-atom copper pesticide that maximizes copper utilization while minimizing environmental impact. The new Cu1/CaCO3 pesticide achieves high disease control efficacy and reduces copper soil residue by 20-fold.
A recipe from two eras: How conifers ward off their enemies
Researchers found that conifer resin contains a mix of ancient and recent diterpenes, which may aid in combating bark beetles. The team's genetic analysis revealed that some diterpenes originated 300 million years ago, while others developed more recently and independently in different tree species.
Danforth Plant Science Center hires director of its 140-acre field research site
The Danforth Plant Science Center has hired George "Cody" Bagnall as Director of its Field Research Site, a 140-acre testing ground for real-world plant science applications. The site allows researchers to test hypotheses in authentic field conditions, bridging applied and basic plant science with environmental realities.
How harmful bacteria hijack crops
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have identified a way for harmful bacteria like Pseudomonas syringae to bypass a plant's defenses using a protein called PmeR that detects auxin and activates genes making the germs more aggressive. This finding could lead to new approaches for protecting crops by understanding how bact...
Freeze-drying preserves sulfonated lignin’s functional integrity, new study finds
Researchers found that freeze-drying preserves sulfoethylated kraft lignin's functional integrity, maintaining charge density, solubility, and sulfonic acid groups. Oven drying compromised performance, triggering chemical changes that reduced solubility and increased glass transition temperature.
Wheat that makes its own fertilizer
Scientists have developed wheat plants that produce their own fertilizer through a bacterial work-around, opening the path toward less air and water pollution worldwide. This breakthrough could be a boon for food security in developing countries, especially Africa where fertilizers are often unaffordable.
Plant biologist Lucia Strader joins Salk faculty to study plant growth signaling
Lucia Strader's lab at Salk will explore how plants sense and integrate environmental cues to shape their growth and development. Her work aims to advance fundamental understanding of plant biology and design more resilient crop varieties.
Poplar tree discovery could help shape the future of energy and biomaterials
A University of Missouri-led study has uncovered how poplar trees can naturally adjust a key part of their wood chemistry based on changes in their environment, supporting improved bioenergy production. The discovery sheds light on the role of lignin and its potential to create better biofuels and sustainable products.
Plastic from plants: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering professor uses material in plant cell walls to make versatile polymer
Researchers develop biodegradable polyurethane using natural polymer lignin and captured carbon dioxide, reducing energy consumption and toxic chemicals. The material is strong, heat-resistant, and easily processed, making it a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
‘Shore Wars:’ New research aims to resolve coastal conflict between oysters and mangroves, aiding restoration efforts
Researchers found that mangrove populations have nearly tripled in areas with oysters, leading to significant acidification of oyster reef sediment. Oyster shell dissolution could impact reef viability and services like filtration and storm surge reduction.
Novel biosensor allows real-time monitoring of sucrose uptake in plants
A novel, needle-type biosensor allows for real-time monitoring of sucrose uptake in plants, revealing light-dependent stomatal uptake and daily rhythms. The sensor's high sensitivity and stability enable the detection of subtle physiological events, shedding new light on plant biology.
Spearhead Bio awarded NSF tech transfer grant to accelerate development of improved corn varieties
The National Science Foundation has awarded Spearhead Bio a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I grant to develop improved corn varieties. The company's breakthrough platform, TAHITI, enables precise and seamless gene insertion into crops.
Researchers engineer plants for optimal biofuel production
Researchers have charted how plant metabolism responds to genetic changes that increase oil production, finding simultaneous increases in both oil and protein content. The study's findings will provide scientists with clues for optimizing biofuel production in plants such as camelina and pennycress.
Moon-Rice: Developing the perfect crop for space-bases
The Moon-Rice project is developing a super-dwarf rice variety that can thrive in microgravity and produce high yields, addressing nutritional deficiencies in space. Researchers are also exploring ways to enrich the protein content of the crop to support astronaut health.
Fig trees convert atmospheric CO2 to stone
Research presents fig tree species storing calcium carbonate in trunks, converting CO2 from atmosphere. The oxalate-carbonate pathway increases soil pH and nutrient availability, making it a potential means to mitigate CO2 emissions.
Flowering plants use a pseudoenzyme to form indole
Indole biosynthesis in flowering plants is mediated by the pseudoenzyme TSB-like, which enables the release of free indole as a volatile compound. This mechanism allows plants to defend against pests and attract pollinators through their scent.
CRISPR-based genetic editing technology leads to discovery of complex multigenic traits in tomato plants
Researchers developed a method to edit crop plant genes, discovering influence on taste and shape. The technique enables examining thousands of genes, overcoming challenges like genetic redundancy.
Motor protein myosin XI is crucial for active boron uptake in plants
Research reveals myosin XI's essential role in guiding AtNIP5;1 to its correct location on the cell membrane, enabling active boron absorption. Plants lacking myosin XI exhibit severe growth defects and reduced boron levels, highlighting the protein's critical function.
A threesome that hatches potato parasites
A Kobe University team has identified a new molecule, solanoeclepin C, that plants secrete to attract soil microbes. This newly found compound is converted into hatching factors that cause potato cyst nematodes to hatch prematurely, potentially offering a novel approach to parasite control.
Two plant species invent the same chemically complex and medically interesting substance
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology elucidated the biosynthetic pathway of ipecacuanha alkaloids in two distantly related plant species. The study reveals that both species developed the same pathway independently, with a surprising twist: the first step does not involve an enzyme, but occurs spontaneously.
Nanoparticle smart spray helps crops block infection before it starts
A new nanoparticle smart spray developed by NUS researchers protects plants from harmful bacteria by delivering antibacterial compounds directly to the plant's stomata. Plants treated with the targeted particles are 20 times more resistant to infection than those given non-targeted treatments.
New plant leaf aging factor found
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found a mutant protein that helps plants fight mildew, but also accelerates leaf aging and yellowing. The discovery could contribute to crop yield improvement and sustainable agriculture.
Does planting trees really help cool the planet?
A new study suggests that reforestation efforts can lower global average temperatures by 0.34 degrees Celsius, roughly one-quarter of the warming already experienced. This is due to the chemical interactions between trees and the atmosphere, which amplify their cooling effect.
Discovery of novel small compounds that delay flowering in plants
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered five novel small molecules that can delay flowering in plants without heat treatment. These compounds, called devernalizers, reactivated the expression of a key gene suppressor of flowering, allowing for enhanced crop yield and resilience.
Protecting crops: Researchers open up new avenue to combat a widespread plant virus
Researchers at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have developed a new avenue to combat the Cucumber mosaic virus by directing the plant's natural defences. The RNA-based active agents have shown high efficacy in laboratory experiments, protecting 80-100% of treated plants from infection.
Bringing expansion microscopy to plants
Researchers have developed ExPOSE, a method that allows for the visualization of plant cells with greater resolution, enabling studies on protein and RNA location, and cellular response. The technique uses protoplasts to overcome cell wall challenges, paving the way for a powerful new toolkit in plant biology.
Ferulic acid: a promising ally against colon cancer
Ferulic acid significantly reduced cell viability in three human colon cancer cell lines, suppressing cell growth and migration. The compound induced cell cycle arrest and upregulated tumor suppressor proteins, suggesting its potential as a dietary strategy for colon cancer prevention.
Mapping the yerba mate genome reveals surprising facts about the evolution of caffeine
Researchers mapped yerba mate's genome, discovering an ancestor that duplicated its genome 50 million years ago. This event led to the evolution of caffeine biosynthesis in yerba mate and coffee through convergent pathways. The study provides opportunities for creating plant varieties with new characteristics.