Hormone-mediated inflorescence patterning in barley ($)

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barleyinflorescenceYoussef et al. investigate how the vsr2 mutant affects inflorescence (spike) development in barley. In the two-row variety, at each node there are two sterile spikelets and a single grain forms. In the six-row variety, each of the spikelets is fertile and three grains form at each node. The vsr2 mutation partially converts the two-row form into a six-row form, predominately at the base of the spike. This effect was correlated with higher levels of sucrose and cytokinin and lower auxin levels, and accompanying changes in hormone biosynthesis genes. The Vsr2 locus was found to encode a SHI-type transcription factor, similar to genes shown previously to affect floral development and auxin biosynthesis. Nat. Genet. 10.1038/ng.3717

Clustering of sorghum defense-compound dhurrin proteins into a metabolon ($)

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metabolon

A metabolon is a physical clustering of metabolic pathway proteins. Until now, evidence for metabolons has been patchy, but Laursen et al. convincingly demonstrate the physical association of several enzymes involved in the production of dhurrin, a defense compound of sorghum. They use a method involving styrene maleic acid to stabilize the membrane-bound metabolon, which they then affinity purify and characterize structurally and functionally. Through reconstitution experiments they show that the molecular composition of the lipids at the metabolon affects its efficiency. They conclude by pointing out that efforts to reconstitute metabolic pathways in heterologous systems will be enhanced by a greater understanding of metabolons and the requirements for their assembly.  Science 10.1126/science.aag2347

Two-cell metabolism in multicellular cyanobacteria ($)

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heterocyst

Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria such as Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 have the challenge of supporting nitrogenase, an enzyme that is highly sensitive to oxygen, and simultaneously photosynthesis, an oxygen-producing set of reactions. They accomplish this by segregating these reactions into two cells, heterocysts and vegetative cells. Malatinszky et al. curate and compile a stoichiometric model of the flow of metabolites, electrons and fixed nitrogen between the two cells. The model indicates that at least four exchange metabolites are needed for optimal growth and provides a platform for further metabolic engineering studies of multicellular cyanobacteria. Plant Physiol. 10.1104/pp.16.01487

Technical Advance: A robust, high-throughput method for computing maize ear, cob and kernel attributes automatically from images

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cob2

The yield of a maize plant is correlated with the size, shape and number of kernels it produces. Miller et al. have developed an automated system to quantify these crucial attributes from photographs of kernels both on and off the cob. Their methods will enable researchers and breeders to record maize traits with greater precision than previous methods. Plant J. 10.1111/tpj.13320

Commentary: Chemical nature of the root-shoot signals

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nph14292-fig-0001-m-300x258

Unravelling the mechanism and signals originating from roots and able to contribute to stomatal control has been the subject of research for decades. In this commentary, Tardieu summarizes and discusses many studies and models on root-shoot signals, including work in the same issue by Visentin et al. which shows that strigolactones in roots are a component of the systemic signal in tomato. Tardieu points out that the nature of the signals reported in the literature is different in different species and experimental systems, and notes, “In my own analysis, none of the control systems considered here can be ruled out based on obvious artefacts or errors of protocols. One must, therefore, live with a diversity of hypotheses.” He concudes with a call for more multi-species meta-analyses and dynamic models. (Summary by Mather Khan) New Phytol. 10.1111/nph.14292

Review: Advances on plant-pathogen interactions from molecular through systems biology perspectives ($)

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systemspathogens

In an interesting and accessible review, Peyraud et al. provide a big-picture view of how systems biology can be used to address plant-pathogen interactions. They describe the core interactions scaling from molecular to ecosystem / environment, and describe the different types of models that can be used to assess and predict the outcomes, as well as the types of data needed for model development. They also point to the many gaps in available datasets and suitable models. The incorporation of a Glossary as well as illuminating illustrations make this paper particularly well suited for teaching. Plant J. 0.1111/tpj.13429

Review: Applications of plant volatile-mediated signaling

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nph14274-fig-0002

Smell is one of the many senses that insects use to locate the plants that they use as food sources. Plants have evolved ways to exploit insects’ sense of smell, for example by producing volatile compounds that attract pollinators. Pickett and Khan review plant volatile–mediated signals in terms of their contributions to plant defense, for example the production of volatile compounds that deter insects or attract carnivorous or parasitoid insects. Volatiles produced by wounded plants can also be perceived by their neighbors, which respond by priming themselves in anticipation of attack. The authors conclude with a review of agricultural applications of plant volatile-mediated signaling, which offers an attractive alternative to broad-spectrum insecticides. New Phytol. 10.1111/nph.14274

Review: Programmed Cell Death in Development and Disease

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pcdwide

Programmed cell death (PCD) is an active process that occurs as part of normal development and also contributes to defense against pathogens. While there are many similarities in developmental PCD (dPCD) and pathogen-triggered PCD (pPCD), there are also differences. Huysmans et al. review and contrast these two types of PCD. A key conclusion is that “it is still unclear whether a common core machinery exists” between them. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 10.1016/j.pbi.2016.11.005

The Power of the 3 Minute Thesis: How to talk about your thesis in three minutes with Rishi Masalia

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About this Webinar: 

In this webinar, we discuss how to craft a short, effective science communication talk for a general audience. Although this event is structured around the internationally recognized 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, which is organized and run by the University of Queensland , the skills learned here are transferable to other presentations and forms of science communication. We cover various elements of crafting a winning 3MT talk, including narrative, target audience, and style—all of which can be applied to any research or dissertation topic.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn about the Three Minute Thesis (3MT).
  • Understand how the 3MT competition is run and how to succeed at it.
  • Discover how to hone a research message while minimizing extraneous detail and without compromising research scope.
  • Understand the necessity of style, hook, and emotion and how they can help elevate your 3MT or research talk.

SPEAKER

Rishi R. Masalia, a fifth-year PhD candidate in John Burke’s lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Georgia and a UGA Three Minute Thesis Finalist (2016). He splits his time between researching the genetic mechanisms of drought resistance in sunflower and perfecting the art of science communication. Rishi is a co-founder of both the Athens Science Café and the Athens Science Observer , two organizations that facilitate faculty and student engagement with the Athens, Georgia community. He also serves as a UGA Graduate School spokesperson for the 3MT competition. More information about Rishi can be found on his website or on Twitter @RishiMasalia.

 

 

 

 

 

This webinar is free is freely available thanks to the support of the American Society of Plant Biologists

If you would like to sponsor an upcoming webinar please contact [email protected]