Recent Posts

Role of RecQ helicases in DNA repair and gene targeting in moss (Plant Cell)

DNA repair is of course a crucial process, and many DNA repair enzymes are conserved across all domains of life. In humans, deficiency in the RecQ family of DNA helicase repair enzymes leads to premature aging and a predisposition to cancer. Previous studies have identified the RecQ family in Arabidopsis…

Unleashing meiotic crossovers in hybrid plants ($) (PNAS)

To generate new plant varieties with desirable traits, plant geneticists cross existing varieties that contain the characters they want to combine. The genetic variability is obtained thanks to events called crossovers, in which segments of homologous chromosomes are swapped during meiosis. The frequency…

Saving Algae from Environmental Stresses

Du et al. investigate an important protein that regulates photosynthesis under stress. Plant Cell. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00446.                                                                               Background:…

Nodule Symbiosis: Cleavage of Bacterial Signals Affects Nodule Shape

Cai et al. investigate the function of a Medicago truncatula enzyme (MtNFH1) that cleaves nodulation signals of symbiotic Sinorhizobium meliloti bacteria. Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00420. By Jie Cai, Zhi-Ping Xie and Christian Staehelin Background: Nitrogen-fixing rhizobia…

Press Release: How to target a gene

Scientists find proteins important for plant development, DNA repair and gene targeting  Freiburg, Mar 08, 2018 All living cells have invented mechanisms to protect their DNA against breaks during duplication and against damage by UV-light or chemicals. A team of biologists led by Prof.…

Conservation of Genomic Imprinting during Wheat Polyploidization

Yang et al. discover conservation of genomic imprinting between closely related Triticum and Aegilops species. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00837 By Guanghui Yang and Mingming Xin Background: Genomic imprinting causes genes to be differentially expressed depending on their parent-of-origin, which…

Wax Protects Rice from Drought Stress

Wang et al. investigate how two proteins work oppositely to regulate wax contents and drought stress response in rice https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00823 By Zhenyu Wang and Qingyun Bu Background: Rice is a staple food for world populations and its production is threatened by drought stress. Cuticular…

Changing Fates: Brassinosteroids Underlying Yield Potential in Millet

Yang et al. reveal a role for brassinosteroids in spikelet and floral meristem fate in Setaria viridis.  The Plant Cell (2017) https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00816 By Jiani Yang and Andrea L. Eveland Background: Grass inflorescences show extensive morphological diversity between species, due…

Ribosomes Meet Epigenetics

Chen et al. link chromatin modifying machinery with ribosome biogenesis. The Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00626 by Xiangsong Chen and Xuehua Zhong Background: All cells need to make proteins to function properly. Ribosomes are the protein production factories consisting of…