White paper: Introducing plant biology graduate students to a culture of mental well‐being Graduate studies are challenging times, fraught with uncertainty and stress. Dewa et al. addressed this problem head on by developing a required, credited course for first-year graduate students, “Tools…

McKinnon et al. investigate the effects of a membrane on the folding of a thylakoid protease. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00797 By Lucas McKinnon and Steven Theg Background: Inside a chloroplast is the light-absorbing membrane called the thylakoid, which contains many different proteins…

Muszynski et al. explore the mechanisms controlling tissue organization in developing leaves. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00677 By Michael G. Muszynski, University of Hawaiʻi – Mānoa  Background: Leaves are responsible for capturing sunlight and carbon dioxide that provide…

Yang et al. probe the biosynthetic activity of a protein involved in cell wall deposition. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00637 Jiyuan Yang, Erik Nielsen. Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA  Background:…

Genetic recombination is the process by which novel genotypes are generated from the genetic material of both parents. In eukaryotes, homologous chromosomes synapse and recombine during meiotic prophase I, during which double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are formed by DNA topoisomerases such as SPO11. If large…

Lignin is a complex aromatic biopolymer in the secondary cell wall of vascular plants. It is crucial for providing physical strength and pathogen resistance to the plant. Lignified xylem vessels are also necessary for efficient water transport. Lignin is formed by oxidative polymerization of monomers…

Alex Harkess, first author of Sex determination by two Y-linked genes in garden asparagus Current Position: Assistant Professor, Auburn University; Faculty Investigator, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Education: B.S. Botany, Miami University (OH); Ph.D. Plant Biology, University of Georgia Non-scientific…

MD Asraful Jahan, first author of Glyceollin Transcription Factor GmMYB29A2 Regulates Soybean Resistance to Phytophthora sojae Current Position: Associate Professor, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114,…