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Researchers uncover the inside story on plant organ growth

A study by John Innes Centre researchers reveals that inner tissues play a crucial role in shaping plant organs, contradicting the widespread assumption that external layers control growth. By analyzing cell division orientation and gene editing techniques, they discovered genes affecting stem thickness in Arabidopsis.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2026

How do thirsty plants hold out during drought?

Salk Institute scientists created a high-resolution atlas showing how droughts affect plant cells. They identified a gene, Ferric Reduction Oxidase 6 (FRO6), that could be targeted to create more resilient crops. FRO6 expression in mesophyll cells partially maintained leaf growth under drought stress.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Plants·DateMar 19, 2026

All DRII-ed up: How do plants recover after drought?

Researchers discovered that plants rapidly activate a coordinated immune response during drought recovery, prioritizing immunity over growth. This finding highlights the importance of studying the post-drought period and points to new strategies for engineering crops that can rebound more effectively after environmental stress.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 29, 2025

Scientists get back to basics with minimal plant genomes

Researchers at Salk Institute used CRISPR-Cas9 to delete large duplicated regions in Arabidopsis thaliana genomes, revealing minimal off-target effects. The study shows that it's possible to obtain viable plants with streamlined, minimal plant genomes, challenging assumptions about essential DNA blocks.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2025

Forward genetics approach reveals the factor responsible for carbon trade-off in leaves

Researchers from Chiba University identified a previously unreported gene, LIRI1, which plays a crucial role in regulating the balance between starch and lipid storage in plant leaves. The study suggests that LIRI1 promotes carbon allocation by activating starch production and inhibiting starch degradation.

SourceChiba University·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2025

Understanding jasmonic acid: A switch that activates autophagy in Arabidopsis petals

A team of researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered a phytohormone-mediated switch controlling autophagy, leading to terminal cell differentiation for petal abscission. They found that jasmonic acid promotes petal abscission by activating autophagy at the base of petals.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Demystifying the role of plant x- and y-type thioredoxins

X- and y-type thioredoxins play a crucial role in maintaining the redox balance of photosynthesis during fluctuating light conditions. The study found that these proteins facilitate electron transport through the electron transport chain, preventing photoinhibition and promoting plant growth.

SourceOkayama University·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2023

Seeing the insides of plants in 3D

A new technology called PHYTOMap allows researchers to study dozens of genes simultaneously without genetic manipulation, providing insights into plant responses to climate change. The method has the potential to improve crop resiliency and inform agriculture optimization.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Plants·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 12, 2023

The missing links: Finding function in lincRNAs

Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have created the first comprehensive annotation of long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) in four mustard species. The study identifies locations across all four genomes that encoded lincRNAs, proposed functions for them, and confirmed the function of some lincRNAs involved in germination. Th...

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalThe Plant Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2022

Nanocarrier spray: Better crops without genetic modification

Researchers at RIKEN CSRS have developed a non-transgenic method to modify plant genes using a bioactive molecule spray, which can be used to improve crop yield and resistance to pests. The technique has shown promising results in improving economically desirable quality traits in crops.

SourceRIKEN·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 23, 2022

For a fungus, the right “accessories” can make or break a relationship with a plant

A new study explores how plants respond differently to useful and harmful microbes, revealing that accessory chromosomes from fungal strains dictate these responses. Most plant genes are expressed similarly in response to both beneficial and pathogenic fungi, but with key differences occurring just 12 hours after interaction.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2021

Little plant tells big stories

A study published in Nature has decoded the genetic variation of Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant used in research. By analyzing 19 strains of this plant, scientists have gained insight into its ability to adapt to different environments and climates.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·DateAug 28, 2011

Evolution can cause a rapid reduction in genome size

Researchers have decoded the entire genome of lyre-leaved rock cress, a close relative of the thale cress, revealing that its genome is significantly larger. The study found that considerable elements were lost from the thale cress genome, with hundreds of thousands of small deletions accounting for most of the differences in size.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 21, 2011

Searching for genes behind a trait

A team at the University of Southern California used a genome-wide association method to locate genes behind important plant traits such as flowering time and disease resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana. The study identified dozens of genes linked to these traits, with potential applications in agriculture and biofuels.

Evolution caught in the act

A US-German team studied genetic changes in Arabidopsis thaliana over 30 generations, finding that new mutations occur frequently, with an average of one per genome per generation. The study also reveals that not all parts of the genome are equally affected and provides new estimates for when species split up.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateDec 31, 2009

One species, many genomes

Researchers found nearly four percent of Arabidopsis genes are variable and some are non-functional, revealing a highly adaptable plant with a streamlined genome. The study suggests that environmental conditions drive gene variation, enabling plants to adapt to different climates.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJul 20, 2007

Charting ever-changing genomes

Researchers developed a method to catalog genetic variations in Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing regions targeted by natural selection. The study found that one out of 10 genes is very different and many gene families were shaped by evolution. The data have been placed in a publicly accessible database.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 19, 2007

Salk news: Gene chips and crop yield

A recent study published in Science has identified nearly 6,000 protein-encoding genes in the tiny mustard weed Arabidopsis, revolutionizing plant genetics research. This breakthrough allows researchers to quickly identify and modify desirable traits in other plants using these genes.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateOct 31, 2003

First plant genome completed

A team of scientists has successfully completed the sequencing of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome, paving the way for accelerated research in plant biology. The comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into gene annotation, functional categories, chromosomal architecture, and transposable elements.

Researchers sequence first plant genome

The team sequenced the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana, a flowering mustard, enabling scientists to study genes controlling basic plant functions. The knowledge gained will aid in improving crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans, as well as identifying genes in the human sequence.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·DateDec 12, 2000