Perception of the phytohormone ethylene results in the cleavage of EIN2 and translocation to the nucleus of its C-terminal end, EIN2-C. Zhang et al. showed that EIN2-C is essential for chromatin modification that allows EIN3, the main ethylene signaling transcription factor, to transcriptionally regulate…

Paramutation is a natural epigenetic process that occurs in plants and animals that is associated with methylation-mediated gene silencing. The curious thing about a paramutated allele is than it can transfer its silenced state to its homologous and active allele. This freshly paramutated allele then…

Methyl anthranilate (MA) is a volatile chemical that contributes to the aroma of strawberry (Fragaria spp.), but several modern varieties do not produce this chemical. Pillet et al. tried to identify the biosynthetic pathway of MA. They compared transcriptomes between MA-producing and non-producing varieties…

Many plants living in arid environments conserve water by taking up CO2 at night through the action of the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PPC); this process, which is widespread in the Crassulaceae family, is known as Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). The nocturnal activity of PPC is regulated…

The MATE (multidrug and toxic compound extrusion) family is found in all three domains of life. Proteins in this family are secondary transporters, functioning as sodium or proton/organic cation antiporters. This family has diverse functions in plants, including vacuolar sequestration of alkaloids,…

Telling others that what we do matters. Guest post by Alyssa Preiser Every holiday season, at least one relative may ask you the question "What do you do?". Your response - "I study plants" -  is immediately followed by an awkward pause and either an unsure nod, as if they immediately understand…

What a glorious day when you get to know you have money to fund your lab! I remember clearly every single word on the notification letter I received the first time and the heavyweight lifting off my shoulders that wonderful day! I think I am not the only one. It is very difficult to do science…

I am a PhD Student at the University of Adelaide in South Australia with a background in agricultural science and molecular biology. My PhD project focusses on seed coat mucilage biosynthesis in the genus Plantago for applications in food technology. I also have a passion for citizen science, science…