Seed imbibition (i.e., water uptake) marks the beginning of germination, an irreversible process that might lead plants to death if it occurs under unsuitable conditions for seedling development. Therefore, it is expected that seeds only germinate when water is readably available. However, the molecular…

Physical dormancy is a dormancy class caused by a water-impermeable cell layer that prevents seed water uptake. Despite being present in several families, its molecular basis has seldom been addressed. Here, Chai and colleagues identify a β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) –one of the enzymes that participate…

A Central Role for Genetics in Plant Biology Plant biology as a field of study encompasses a rich plethora of subjects, some of which themselves are their own fields. Maarten Koornneef, in this memoir-style article, describes how genetics in particular shaped his career that saw the rise of Arabidopsis…

Zhang et al. explore the role of myosin XI in exocytosis. Plant Cell Weiwei Zhang and Christopher J. Staiger Purdue University Background: Living organisms secrete molecules from their cells to allow growth and survival in various environments. Materials destined for secretion are often…

Youngwoo Lee, first author of "A co-fractionation mass spectrometry-based prediction of protein complex assemblies in the developing rice aleurone-subaleurone" Current Position: Postdoc in Szymanski Lab at Department of Botany and Plant Pathology and Center for Plant Biology in Purdue University Education: PhD…

Jeffrey Aguilar, first author of "Capturing in-field root system dynamics with RootTracker" Current Position: Managing Engineer at Hi Fidelity Genetics in Durham, NC Education: B.S, M.S. and Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech in Atlanta GA Non-scientific Interests: Woodworking, Music,…

Lele Shang, co-first author of ''A mutation in a C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factor contributed to the transition towards self-pollination in cultivated tomatoes'' Current Position: Ph.D. Candidate, Huazhong Agricultural University Education: B.S. in Shandong Agricultural University Non-scientific…

Sonhita Chakraborty, first author of "CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE-GATED ION CHANNEL 2 modulates auxin homeostasis and signaling" Current Position: PhD candidate at the Yoshioka lab, Department of Cell & Systems Biology at the University of Toronto Education: MSc in Plant Agriculture (University of Guelph),…