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News

 

[VIDEO] A new way to 'hoard' resources in nano-sized factories targeted for biotech [VIDEO] A new way to 'hoard' resources in nano-sized factories targeted for biotech

'Hoarding' resources in the same location encourages more efficient chemical reactions. Someday, we could use this system to enhance the production of rubber, biofuels, and other commodities.

June 4, 2019 Tags: Kerfeld lab, green solutions
[LINK] He lab in The Economist: Understanding how crop diseases and climate change interact [LINK] He lab in The Economist: Understanding how crop diseases and climate change interact

The rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations is mixed news for farmers. Although it is a cause for disruptions in weather patterns, it is also a source of more fuel for photosynthesis and therefore enhanced growth - up to 40%.

May 31, 2019 Tags: fundamental research, He lab
Christian Danve Castroverde joins Wilfrid Laurier University as Assistant Professor Christian Danve Castroverde joins Wilfrid Laurier University as Assistant Professor

The postdoc from the He lab will investigate plant immune responses under various environmental and abiotic stresses in model organisms and crop plants.

May 30, 2019 Tags: future scientists, He lab
Altering how cyanobacteria capture light from the sun can impact their health Altering how cyanobacteria capture light from the sun can impact their health

Various ways of affecting light-capturing antennae can cause cyanobacteria to either remain content or become stressed. The different responses depend on the species and the nature of the modification.

May 29, 2019 Tags: fundamental research, Montgomery lab
Protecting photosynthesis from stalling: a 24-hr molecular hotline Protecting photosynthesis from stalling: a 24-hr molecular hotline

The enzyme, G6PDH, diverts and pumps resources into the Calvin-Benson cycle at critical moments to keep the cycle active and, by extension, plants happy and healthy.  

May 20, 2019 Tags: fundamental research, Sharkey lab
Gutter Ball 25: Tony Schilmiller claims third championship Gutter Ball 25: Tony Schilmiller claims third championship

The PRL celebrated 25 years of bowling. Over 100 MSU staff, faculty, and students took over City Limits Bowling Center to vie for the ultimate prize: Gutter Ball 25 Champion!

May 20, 2019 Tags: outreach
A new rhomboid-like protein that helps plants produce lipids A new rhomboid-like protein that helps plants produce lipids

Rhomboid-like proteins are found across a large number of organisms, like bacteria, flies, and humans. This is the first time such a protein – and how it influences lipid production and transport – has been studied in detail in plants.

May 14, 2019 Tags: fundamental research, Benning lab
2019 Anton Lang Memorial Award Winners Announced 2019 Anton Lang Memorial Award Winners Announced

Luciana Renna and Ben Mansfeld were both recognized as scientists who exemplify the research excellence, ideas, dedication, and vision of former PRL director, Anton Lang.

May 9, 2019 Tags: awards, Brandizzi lab, future scientists
Barb Sears receives Faculty Emeriti Association award Barb Sears receives Faculty Emeriti Association award

Dr. Sears, an MSU Faculty Emerita retired from the Department of Plant Biology, was awarded the 2019 MSU Faculty Emeriti Association Award for "Outstanding Contributions by an Individual."

April 30, 2019 Tags: awards, Benning lab
Simpler & smaller: a new synthetic nanofactory inspired by nature Simpler & smaller: a new synthetic nanofactory inspired by nature

The genetically engineered shell is based on natural structures and the principles of protein evolution. Scientists see such structures as a source of new industrial or medical technologies.

April 29, 2019 Tags: Kerfeld lab, fundamental research
MSU scientists teach kids about plant defense at MSU Science Festival 2019 MSU scientists teach kids about plant defense at MSU Science Festival 2019

4th to 6th graders got to learn about plant defense mechanisms and the scientific method. Leah Johnson, lead organizer, reflects on the event in an interview.

April 25, 2019 Tags: outreach, Howe lab
Anastasiya Lavell wins BMB Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award Anastasiya Lavell wins BMB Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award

The award is given to a student for exceptional performance as a graduate teaching assistant during his or her graduate program.

April 22, 2019 Tags: awards, Benning lab, future scientists
Two PRL students win first prize at UURAF 2019 Two PRL students win first prize at UURAF 2019

Madeline Bresson from the Sharkey lab and Jacob Wright from the Ducat lab have each won first prize at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum. Both were recognized for their poster presentations.

April 19, 2019 Tags: future scientists, awards, Sharkey lab, Ducat lab
Explore the Science and Art of Plants at Third Annual Fascination of Plants Day @ MSU: Arts Go Green Explore the Science and Art of Plants at Third Annual Fascination of Plants Day @ MSU: Arts Go Green

MSU hosts the third annual Fascination of Plants Day @ MSU. This year, plant sciences meet the arts in a collaboration between MSU plant scientists, the Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, and the East Lansing Art Festival.

April 9, 2019 Tags: outreach
Our first look at a new light absorbing protein in cyanobacteria Our first look at a new light absorbing protein in cyanobacteria

The HCP2 protein is an ancestor of proteins that are known to protect against damage caused by excess light exposure. The study is the first of its kind to structurally and biophysically analyze a protein from the recently discovered HCP family.

April 2, 2019 Tags: fundamental research, Kerfeld lab
[LINK] Ducat featured as essential reading for stemming the tide of trash [LINK] Ducat featured as essential reading for stemming the tide of trash

The Ducat lab's research on bioplastics is featured in a recent article in the online publication, The Conversation.

April 1, 2019 Tags: outreach, Ducat lab
MSU students win at 2019 ASPB Midwest Meeting MSU students win at 2019 ASPB Midwest Meeting

The American Society of Plant Biologists meeting was a chance to practice presentation skills and meet plant biologists from across the Midwest.

March 27, 2019 Tags: future scientists, Benning lab
Keeping plants nourished: the workings of a photosynthesis backup system Keeping plants nourished: the workings of a photosynthesis backup system

Plants use the shunt to quickly reboot the Calvin-Benson cycle, the crucial process that makes their food and nourishes the planet's food chain.

March 25, 2019 Tags: Sharkey lab, fundamental research
Faculty voice: Christian Danve Castroverde: Striving for harmony Faculty voice: Christian Danve Castroverde: Striving for harmony

Recently awarded a fellowship by NSERC, Danve muses on the value of relationships to personal and scientific endeavors.

March 20, 2019 Tags: future scientists, He lab
[LINK] Brandizzi lab to study the effect of space flight on seeds [LINK] Brandizzi lab to study the effect of space flight on seeds

The goal is to help increase the nutritional value of plants grown in spaceflight. The seeds will be on NASA's Orion spacecraft, on its maiden voyage to the moon and back.

March 18, 2019 Tags: fundamental research, Brandizzi lab

Top Stories

2023 Anton Lang Memorial Award winners announced 2023 Anton Lang Memorial Award winners announced

Graduate student Hannah Parks and postdoctoral researcher María Santos Merino have been awarded the 2023 Anton Lang Memorial Awards at a ceremony which took place on Monday, April 24, 2023. This year’s lecture was given by University Distinguished Professor Thomas D. Sharkey from Michigan State University.

Beating the heat: Exploring algae's ability to thrive in extreme environments Beating the heat: Exploring algae's ability to thrive in extreme environments

Found in acidic volcanic hot springs, the extremophilic alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae contains a unique process that allows them to survive in extreme environments. Researchers, led by graduate student Anne Steensma from the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, are looking at this process and its potential to change how we understand the ways photosynthetic organisms adapt to environmental challenges like high temperatures. 

Why this promising biofuel crop takes a summer break Why this promising biofuel crop takes a summer break

By explaining a photosynthetic peculiarity in switchgrass, MSU researchers from the Walker lab may have unlocked even more of the plant’s potential.