News

The honor, bestowed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, recognizes members for extraordinary achievements in advancing science.
November 26, 2019
The Highly Cited Researchers list, compiled by Clarivate Analytics, includes scientists who have been most cited by peers over the past decade. In 2019, fewer than 0.1% of the world's researchers have earned this exclusive distinction.
November 21, 2019
Cheryl Kerfeld will lead a team of five research groups in a $3.4 million NSF Understanding the Rules of Life grant to engineer a synthetic cell. The aim is to tackle two key science and engineering research areas: building a synthetic cell and epigenetics.
November 7, 2019
The award recognizes the best doctoral dissertation in the plant sciences at Michigan State University over the last two years.
October 24, 2019
The new gene family helps control carbon dioxide fixation, which is the first step towards making high-energy molecules that feed the planet's organisms.
September 30, 2019![[LINK] Grad student, Anastasiya Lavell, talks mentoring and chloroplasts on Impact 89FM](/sites/_prl/cache/file/4FA7FB9A-4C09-4458-A5A00655B85E4B65_newslisting.jpg)
The Benning lab student was a guest on The Sci-Files podcast, where she addressed her research on a protein that seems to be important for lipid regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts.
August 27, 2019
The post-doc from the He lab was will incorporate her “Strategic Career Management” ideas - the path to become the most attractive candidate for one's dream job - into the program.
August 1, 2019
The title, among the highest honors that can be bestowed by the university, is for faculty who are recognized nationally and internationally for the importance of their teaching, research, and outreach achievements.
July 22, 2019
Marine algae, the evolutionary ancestors of plants, could have hitched a ride with fungi to make it onto dry land.
July 17, 2019
High levels of photosynthetic productivity can dangerously alter a plant cell's chemical balance. GPT2 is a sort of 'brake' that helps recycle and store extra resources that are produced during those times.
July 9, 2019![[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