News

As climate change threatens global food security, PRI member and University Distinguished Professor Dr. Robin Buell is building better beans crucial to human nutrition by tapping into the genetics of the more heat-resistant tepary bean.

A new study from the lab of interim PRI director Thomas Sharkey, finds that the activity levels of the carbon metabolism protein, G6PDH, are related to decreased production of pollen in bean flowers. As global temperatures rise, some bean crops, including Michigan-grown varieties, might be more sensitive to higher heat levels.

A new study from the Walker lab, in collaboration with Thomas Sharkey, is shedding light on how plants could potentially become more efficient at photosynthesis. The long-term implications of this research range from improved agricultural productivity to predicting the effects of climate change. The study is published in the journal Plant Physiology.

The Spring 2021 PRI seminar series speakers start on March 8, see the full schedule here. All talks will be on Monday at 1 PM.

The PRI has two openings for postdoctoral fellows in plant resilience. Fellows will be expected to develop a cutting-edge research program in the area of plant resilience that bridges the interests of two or more PRI faculty members. See here for more details.

A project led in part by Plant Resilience Institute members Brad Day and David Kramer have been awarded a $250,000 grant by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The grant award supports Asian and Pacific universities in their efforts to establish partnerships with renowned foreign universities. Scientists from MSU and Rajarata University will conduct joint activities in the area of smart agriculture, ranging from fundamental genomics and chemistry, to student training and curriculum-based activities.