The architecture of the plant cell wall is very intricate: strings of cellulose microfibrils provide structure while allowing the cell to expand and grow. This growth is primarily driven by turgor pressure, which applies pressure and allows for expansion in all directions. While the general mechanism of growth is well established, the precise mechanical transitions […]
Precipitation plays an important role in shaping leaf tissue composition, and as climate change progresses, we’ll likely see dramatic shifts in precipitation regimes. Changes in leaf tissue composition due to increased rainfall or drought may have cascading effects on soil microbe communities and ultimately nutrient cycling during senescence. In this long term study, Zhang et […]
Cycads are an ancient lineage of gymnosperms with fascinating ecological interactions. In a recent review, Salzman et al. examine the various adaptations of cycads, from attracting pollinators to repelling parasites, focusing on the roles of their wide array of specialized metabolites. A somewhat unique trait in gymnosperms, most cycads have obligate insect pollination. To attract […]
Eukaryotic genomes contain many endogenous viral elements (EVEs), which are genetic footprints of past viral infections. With the discovery of Nucleocytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses (NCLDVs), or giant viruses, research has turned to exploring how giant endogenous viral elements (GEVEs) shape host genomes. Giant viruses are prevalent in unicellular green and brown algae, and some species […]
The first known report of an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant appeared approximately 150 years ago (1873). In the intervening years, Arabidopsis has become an essential model for plant genetic research, driving groundbreaking discoveries across multiple disciplines. In a recent review, Yaschenko et al. provide a broad and succinct examination of how Arabidopsis has contributed more than […]