A polyphenol-rich extract from Cistus salviifolius has shown fungicidal activity against several dermatophytes, including Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis. The extract reduced fungal load and tissue invasion in a reconstructed human epidermis model, preserving the epidermal barrier and decreasing inflammation.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute used AlphaFold2 and evolutionary data to predict protein structures in aphids, which were previously inaccessible to AI. The study reveals a common architectural plan among 2,400 BICYCLE proteins, showcasing the evolution's role in helping AI predict protein structures.
Researchers have discovered a new class of plant defense receptors that can limit blast pathogen attacks and introduce broader immunity into wheat, barley, and rice. By bioengineering these receptors, they aim to create a new frontline defense against the devastating fungal disease.
A team from INRS identified three bacterial strains that delay disease symptoms, reduce disease severity, and promote plant growth. The strains may belong to a previously unrecognized lineage, offering new avenues for research into beneficial plant-associated microorganisms.
Researchers discovered nitrate reductase plays a crucial role in regulating nitrogen-responsive nodulation, balancing costs and benefits of symbiosis according to nitrogen availability. The enzyme maintains internal nitrate levels, preventing excessive nitrate accumulation and suppressing root nodule formation.
Wild plants offer valuable insights into adapting to disease, with research showing how plants evolve defenses against pathogens. This knowledge can inform more effective management of crop diseases, contributing to a better understanding of disease ecology and environmental threats.
Researchers have discovered a new root response called saprotropism that guides plants away from decaying plant-derived matter. This adaptation enables roots to avoid hostile zones in soil and promotes healthy growth.
Understanding plant microbiome interactions could transform crop production and improve sustainability. Researchers are exploring how plants shape their microbial partners to acquire nutrients, defend against disease, and respond to environmental stresses.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which microbes boost plants' ability to survive in salty conditions. Pseudomonad bacteria stimulate the production of lignin, a tough substance found in plant cell walls, helping plants withstand environmental stress.
Scientists discovered a molecular switch that enables plants to form partnerships with soil fungi even when sufficient phosphate is available, offering a potential solution to reducing fertilizer use. The discovery could enable targeted manipulation of mycorrhization in crop plants using modern breeding methods.
Researchers found a diverse bacterial ecosystem in seagrass habitats that was disrupted by increased water temperature, leading to reduced seagrass biomass and tolerance to climate change. The study highlights the importance of considering microbial communities in understanding marine plant responses to environmental stress.
Researchers discovered that fungal effector proteins evolved from ancient antimicrobial proteins to weaken host immune systems and manipulate the surrounding microbiome. These findings provide new insights into how fungi attack both hosts and beneficial microorganisms, with potential applications in agriculture and medicine.
A new study published in mBio describes the unique relationship between diatoms and a newly identified species of marine bacteria. When diatom growth ceases, the bacteria become aggressive, releasing compounds that damage the algae and then feeding on them. In nutrient-rich environments, the bacteria can overcome the diatom's defenses.
The report highlights the need for an agreed definition of healthy soil, scalable biological indicators, and collaborative transitions to sustainable land management practices. It emphasizes the importance of building trust and aligning diverse priorities among all soil stakeholders.
Researchers at FABI define a conserved subset of Phytophthora RxLR effectors with short linear motifs embedded within folded WY domain cores. This arrangement preserves domain integrity while enabling potential interactions with host immune components, reframing pathogen strategies and challenging SLiM dogma.
Researchers discovered a short amino acid motif in NIN that confers broader DNA binding specificity, essential for rhizobial infection and nitrogen fixation. This finding suggests NIN evolved by co-opting preexisting molecular features of ancestral NLP transcription factors.
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.
Researchers have developed a spray-on polymer coating that can be sprayed directly onto plant leaves to protect against harmful bacterial infections and survive drought. The coating works by disrupting bacterial cell membranes, reducing water loss and inducing molecular-level stress response mechanisms.
Researchers discovered that beneficial fungi enhance plant resistance to disease by remodelling the plant cell membrane at pathogen infection sites. This transformation coincides with a significant reduction in pathogen colonisation and offers critical new insights into how plants coordinate defences in complex natural environments.
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.
A breakthrough study from Aarhus University identified two amino acid changes that allow plants to switch off their immune system and form symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This discovery could lead to breeding crops like wheat, barley, and maize that can fix nitrogen themselves, reducing the need for artificial fertilizer.
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 have been recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to global challenges through applied microbiology. The awards celebrate excellence across various domains, including drug discovery and sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found that beneficial bacteria can enhance the levels of amino acid and antioxidant ergothioneine in spring wheat, potentially improving nutritional value. This approach could associate plants with benign microbes to increase protein content in staple crops.
Scientists have discovered a surprising strategy plants use to thrive in sulphur-deficient conditions by releasing glutathione, which enhances plant growth but reduces bacterial growth. This 'trans-kingdom fitness trade-off' has implications for designing better microbial solutions for resilient crops.
Researchers at the University of Lausanne discovered that plant roots release complex compounds called root exudates to recruit beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are attracted to glutamine, an amino acid that acts as a signal allowing them to colonize precise leakage sites on the root surface.
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.
David Stern, a Senior Group Leader at Janelia Research Campus, joins Stowers Institute to uncover new avenues of biology with enormous implications. His lab discovered 'bicycle proteins' that trick plants into growing protective homes for aphids, shedding light on the battle between plants and insects.
A long-standing mystery of ENOD40, a pioneering gene in legume nodulation research, has been solved. ENOD40 acts as a natural microRNA sponge to regulate the legume nodulation pathway, enabling nitrogen-fixing nodule formation. The discovery sheds light on a new layer of control in plant-microbe symbiotic relationships.
Researchers at OIST found that only cyanobacteria Trichormus azollae are true symbionts of Azolla ferns, with their genomes showing extreme decay and loss of genes. The study sheds light on the genomic impacts of symbiosis and its potential applications in food security.
A new study found that global climate conditions affect the spore traits of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, influencing their survival, spread, and interaction with plants. The research provides insights into the environmental adaptations of microorganisms, which could guide soil restoration and food production.
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.
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.
Researchers found that dual symbioses between trees and mycorrhizal fungi enhance tree fitness, making them less sensitive to drought and nutrient scarcity. This cooperation enables trees to colonize a larger territory and adapt to harsher climates, particularly in dry areas.
Researchers found that pathogenic bacteria like Pseudomonas syringae produce glycosyrin, a molecule that blocks plant immune surveillance. Plants have evolved countermeasures to strip away sugars from flagellin, but this bacterial strategy disrupts these defenses and creates conditions favorable for bacterial growth.
A new study from the University of Oxford reveals that a molecule called glycosyrin, produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae, mimics galactose to suppress plant immune responses. This finding has potential medicinal applications and highlights the complex strategies used by bacteria to manipulate host plants.
Researchers identify CLE16 peptide as key molecule promoting symbiotic relationship between plants and beneficial soil fungi. Supplementing with this peptide or its fungal equivalent can enhance nutrient exchange and strengthen these traits in crops.
Scientists have developed MetaFlowTrain, a system that allows the study of metabolic exchange and interactions between microorganisms in complex environments. This innovation enables researchers to identify novel microbial exometabolites with bioactive or signalling properties.
Legumes have special root nodules that house friendly bacteria, which take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form plants can use. The Casparian strip, a waterproof barrier in plant roots, develops at the same time as nodules and regulates nutrient exchange.
A study found that tea plants' internal clocks influence microbial composition and nutrient cycles, with fungal communities most stable at midnight. This synchronization could revolutionize sustainable tea cultivation by optimizing nutrient management.
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.
Soil microbial diversity decreases in alpine pioneer community degradation, while ecosystem functions initially increase before declining. Fungal communities are more vulnerable to environmental changes than bacterial ones.
Scientists have identified chemical compounds released by rice roots that determine how much methane the plants emit. A new strain of rice was bred using traditional breeding methods, resulting in yields of 8.96 tons/hectare while emitting up to 70% less methane.
Researchers developed a method to produce strigolactones using microbial cell factories, amplifying production by over 125 times. This allows for the study of these scarce plant molecules in greater depth, offering insights into sustainable agricultural practices and plant development.
Researchers at John Innes Centre have discovered a biological mechanism that enhances partnerships between plant roots and soil microbes, increasing nutrient uptake. This finding holds great potential for advancing sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for inorganic fertilizers.
Scientists develop novel approach using Cry14 protein to combat soybean cyst nematode (SCN), a major soybean pest. The research demonstrates that Cry14 reduces SCN population in soybean roots, leading to higher yields and potential resistance against native traits.
A new study found that plant leaves are coated with diverse RNA molecules that may play a role in shaping microbial communities. The RNA present on the leaf surface can regulate gene expression in microbes, potentially impacting plant health and environmental interactions.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered that certain bacteria can reduce a plant's immune activity, allowing its roots to grow longer. The study identified an enzyme produced by one of these bacteria as the key factor in this process, which could have implications for understanding microbiome interactions with host immune systems.
A new study finds that disease-causing bacteria can infect a wide range of plant species, including non-flowering plants, using a common set of pathogenicity factors. The research suggests that the toxin syringomycin interferes with cell membranes across diverse plant species.
Research reveals that certain soil microbes can enhance flower size, resulting in increased bee visitations, but high colonization levels may lead to smaller flowers. The study focuses on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associations with plant roots and their impact on floral traits and pollinator interactions.
Researchers have deciphered how the beneficial fungus Serendipita indica successfully colonizes plant roots of Arabidopsis thaliana. The fungus secretes enzymes that produce a molecule called deoxyadenosine (dAdo), which activates cell death in plants, enabling colonization without causing significant harm.
A 20-year experiment found that warmer soils alter the behavior of tree roots in different ways, with oak trees changing their interactions with soil microbes but maple trees maintaining their patterns
Researchers found that the presence of a fungus increases the pH of the soil, promoting growth of beneficial bacteria. This interaction could lead to sustainable agricultural practices by harnessing microbial interactions to combat plant diseases.
Researchers have identified a new group of bacterial toxins that can destroy cells of bacteria and fungi without harming other organisms. The study reveals how these toxins are used by bacteria to compete with other microbes, offering exciting possibilities for clinical and biotechnological applications.
A pioneering study applies high-throughput single-cell sequencing to demystify the microbial universe within activated sludge, a cornerstone of wastewater treatment. The analysis detects antibiotic resistance genes, previously unknown microbial species, and reveals intricate genetic networks within microbial communities.
A team of researchers found that the use of microbial biofertilisers and algae-based biostimulants can significantly enhance both the yield and quality of organic tomatoes. The treatments improved processes like nutrient absorption and stress tolerance, supporting overall crop performance.
The unique polar light environment creates conditions for circumpolar hybrid zones, increasing reproductive synchrony among species. Microbes play a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity by adapting to light-sensitive environmental cues.
Research found that bacteria have specific dietary preferences for lipids, influencing their degradation rates and efficiency in the ocean's mesopelagic zone. This study highlights the importance of microbial interactions and community dynamics in controlling global carbon fluxes.
The study found that farming as a monoculture alters the soil microbiome, but native shade tree farms have distinct soil microbiomes. The research highlights the importance of conserving biodiversity in agricultural landscapes to maintain ecosystem health.
Researchers at FAU will investigate how microbes respond to climate conditions and develop strategies to enhance soil health in drylands. The project aims to improve understanding of microbial resistance to climate change and discover solutions to reduce soil degradation.
A new study found that tree bark surfaces absorb methane gas from the atmosphere, making trees 10% more beneficial for climate than previously thought. This discovery adds a new layer of importance to tree planting and reducing deforestation as part of efforts to cut methane emissions.