News
![[VIDEO] A new way to 'hoard' resources in nano-sized factories targeted for biotech](/sites/_prl/cache/file/970DC3F3-0B52-42F9-9E56DA2D8FE2F34F_newslisting.jpg)
'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![[LINK] He lab in The Economist: Understanding how crop diseases and climate change interact](/sites/_prl/cache/file/DDF115ED-047A-4060-A08CD8B849F080ED_newslisting.jpg)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The award is given to a student for exceptional performance as a graduate teaching assistant during his or her graduate program.
April 22, 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
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
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![[LINK] Ducat featured as essential reading for stemming the tide of trash](/sites/_prl/cache/file/E1272B02-E64C-41BF-918CA266F905DDF8_newslisting.jpg)
The Ducat lab's research on bioplastics is featured in a recent article in the online publication, The Conversation.
April 1, 2019
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
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
Recently awarded a fellowship by NSERC, Danve muses on the value of relationships to personal and scientific endeavors.
March 20, 2019![[LINK] Brandizzi lab to study the effect of space flight on seeds](/sites/_prl/cache/file/F178DE1E-9961-4CC2-BB19344AD88E1394_newslisting.jpg)
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