The wide variety of shape and flavor in modern cultivated tomatoes is a result of introgressions from its wild relatives. While many genetic studies were successful in the identification of wild alleles that affect tomato aroma, no tools were available to study structural variants affecting the taste,…

Jing et al. reveal how danger-associated peptides inhibit root growth in plants in response to pathogen attack. Plant Cell (2018) https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00145.   Background: Plants defend themselves against pathogens and pests through an innate immune system that is activated by pathogen-associated…

Andrew Scafaro, first author of A conserved sequence from heat-adapted species improves Rubisco activase thermostability in wheat Current Position: Research Fellow (Postdoc) at The Australian National University Education: Bachelor of Science (Class I Honours) and PhD from Macquarie University,…

Vítor Amorim-Silva, first author of TTL proteins scaffold brassinosteroid signaling components at the plasma membrane to optimize signal transduction in Arabidopsis Current Position: Postdoctoral researcher, IHSM-UMA-CSIC, University of Málaga, Spain Education: PhD in Plant Biology, University…

Zhi-Sheng Xu, first author of Changing Carrot Color: Insertions in DcMYB7 Alter the Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Modification Current Position: Associate Professor in College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, China Education: PhD, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural…

Guifeng Wang, first author of Dek40 Encodes a PBAC4 Protein Required for 20S Proteasome Biogenesis and Seed Development Current Position: Professor for Plant Molecular Genetics, Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University Education: B.S in…

Thiago Batista Moreira, first author of A genome-scale metabolic model of soybean (Glycine max) highlights metabolic fluxes in seedlings Current Position: PhD student at Plant Biochemistry and Physiology Lab, University of Brasília, Brazil Education: M.Sc. in Botany, University of Brasília, Brazil;…

For a number of crops agricultural yields have been boosted by the phenomenon of heterosis or hybrid vigour, where a hybrid outperforms either parent. Understanding the various mechanisms by which heterosis arises may facilitate the breeding of hybrids with increased vigour for further crop varieties…