Entries by Mary Williams

Review: Stress-related biomolecular condensates in plants

Biomolecular condensates are non-membrane-bound compartments containing proteins and RNAs with key functions in stress responses. In plants, they occur as several types with different properties and components, including stress granules and processing bodies. Protein domains such as prion-like domains and intrinsically-disordered regions provide stickiness and facilitate protein aggregation. Although much of what is known about […]

Update: Callose synthesis in plant development – an evolutionary insight

Callose is a polysaccharide with amorphous, gel-like properties that often serves as a transient matrix in plant cell walls. Callose deposition at plasmodesmata can regulate the movement of molecules between cells, transient callose deposition in phloem sieve elements occurs in response to stress, callose is deposited at the site at which some pathogens penetrate the […]

Inclusive collaboration across plant physiology and genomics: Now is the time!

Research and discovery rely on teamwork and collaboration, yet many academic structures don’t support or reward such models. Additionally, the significant challenges addressed by plant scientists go beyond the expertise of one PI or lab, further highlighting the need for research teams that span disciplinary boundaries. In this recent white paper, the Interdisciplinary Plant Science […]

Plant Science Research Weekly: May 26, 2023

Review: Stress-related biomolecular condensates in plants Biomolecular condensates are non-membrane-bound compartments containing proteins and RNAs with key functions in stress responses. In plants, they occur as several types with different properties and components, including stress granules and processing bodies. Protein domains such as prion-like domains and intrinsically-disordered regions provide stickiness and facilitate protein aggregation. Although […]

Plant Science Research Weekly: May 12, 2023

Review: Climate change impacts on plant pathogens, food security, and paths forward Much of what is written about the impacts of climate change on food production is focused on the abiotic stresses that plants will experience, but biotic stresses will be equally impactful, as discussed in this fine review by Singh et al. The challenges […]

Plant Physiology is recruiting Assistant Features Editors for 2024

By Yunde Zhao (Plant Physiology EIC) and Mary Williams (Plant Physiology Features Editor) The mission of the Assistant Features Editor (AFE) program is to help disseminate exciting discoveries published in Plant Physiology and to advance young scientists’ careers. This past January, Plant Physiology welcomed 19 new Assistant Features Editors to the editorial board. Together with […]