Scientists study fungal infection that could improve biofuel production

After inoculation with Serendipita fungi, switchgrass root hairs increase in density and surface area. Credit: Prasun Ray et al., IS-MPMI.* Serendipita fungus has a special relationship with plants. When it colonizes the roots of switchgrass, the fungus does not hurt the plant. In fact, it has been shown to increase the plant’s drought tolerance, seed […]

The cycle of light: Analyzing how cellular proteins in leaves change through day, night featured image

Because next-generation biofuels will depend on the growth and hardiness of woody feedstocks, scientists have sought to better understand how leaf cells quickly respond to environmental cues such as light, temperature and water. These rapid responses take the form of “post-translational modifications” that occur when a plant cell chemically modifies a protein to alter its […]