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MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory

@msudoeplantlab.bsky.social

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Research institute at Michigan State University funded by the DOE Office of Science. Plant science driving innovation. prl.natsci.msu.edu

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MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 18

We are excited to announce Federica Brandizzi as the next director of the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory! Brandizzi's lab has contributed many important pieces to the canon of plant research in organelle biology, biofuel research and space biology. natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/20...

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory names Federica Brandizzi as next director

Brandizzi is a prolific researcher within the plant science community and the next PRL director

natsci.msu.edu

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MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · 29d

There is a new director at the PRL- and more! Check out all of the interesting things happening this week, including the picture of the month and a story about the popularization of the Arabdopsis! Read all about it here: mailchi.mp/msu/prl-news...

Federica Brandizzi, the new Director of the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory

Members of the SWEET team, (from left) Mitchell Ticoras, Lucas Reist, Angel Indibi, and Luke Sharpe, used research gathered for a collegiate tech entrepreneurship to author a manuscript on genetic engineering plants to produce valuable chemicals to enhance the economics of biofuel production.

The Plant Biology conservatory tropical greenhouse photographed on 35mm film. Picture by Joshua Gould.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Sep 8

We are saddened by the passing of Dr. Andrew D. Hanson. During his time at the PRL, he contributed greatly to advancing our understanding of metabolic pathways and their regulation. He was a generous colleague who supported and encouraged those around him. blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hosdept/2025...

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 29

The development of transgenic grasses with elevated levels of mixed-linkage glucan is being actively pursued worldwide. This, scientists think, may impact soil-carbon processing. Read more about it here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Above and belowground characteristics of the four studied B. distachyon genotypes: wild type (WT), MLG-, (cslf6-1, loss-of-function mutations with low levels of MLG), MLG+(CSLF6OX, overexpressing lines with high levels of MLG), and MLG2+ (bdlch1-1, lacking MLG hydrolase with high levels of MLG): (A) Plant dry biomass (mg) and root characteristics, i.e., total root length (cm), average root diameter (mm), and root dry biomass (mg). Shown are means, standard errors (error bars), and raw data (points) (n = 8). Different letters mark statistically significant differences among the genotypes (p < 0.05). (B) Representative 6-week old plants. The scale bar represents 5 cm. (C) Representative root images obtained using RhizoVizion with inscribed circles highlighting the portion of the root system where the differences among the genotypes were the greatest.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 28

Federica Brandizzi was named a Hannah Distinguished Professor by MSU, an honor given to profs for their exceptional scholarly achievements and substantial contributions to their field. Congrats to Federica on this achievement! Read more about her career & achievements: natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/20...

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory names Federica Brandizzi as next director

Brandizzi is a prolific researcher within the plant science community and the next PRL director

natsci.msu.edu

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 28

Jojoba, a desert shrub, has an unusual capacity to store liquid wax esters in its seeds. If that sounds interesting to you, check out this new article published by The Plant Cell! academic.oup.com/plcell/artic...

Reposted by MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory

MSU Plant Resilience Institute @msupri.bsky.social · Aug 25

🚨 Less than 1 week left to register for #GLPSC2025!

Join us September 12–14 in Lansing, MI for the 1st Great Lakes Plant Science Conference, and help expand the horizons of #plantscience across the Great Lakes region and beyond!

⏳ Register by August 31: research.msu.edu/glpsc2025

A graphic promoting GLPSC 2025 with a background image of blurred leaves and an outline of the Great Lakes. The text at the top says, "1st Great Lakes Plant Science Conference, September 12-14, 2025, the Lansing Center, Lansing, MI.” In a blue rectangle, there is a QR code and the text, “Last Chance! Register by August 31, 2025 at: research.msu.edu/glpsc2025.” Below, the text says, “Organized by 10 universities around the Great Lakes to push the boundaries of plant science, promote collaborations, and empower the next-generation plant science leaders. Hosted by Michigan State University and the Plant Resilience Institute." The logos of the following participating institutions are at the bottom: Michigan State University, Plant Resilience Institute, Indiana University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Chicago, University of Guelph, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, University of Toronto, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Reposted by MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory

MSU Plant Resilience Institute @msupri.bsky.social · Aug 27

The Howe lab at the MSU Plant Resilience Institute is now #hiring a postdoctoral researcher to lead a project focused on discovering a new class of regulatory metabolites and their nuclear signaling mechanisms that govern plant resilience. 🌱 Apply now: careers.msu.edu/jobs/researc... #PlantSciJobs

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MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 26

Wood, a resource required around the world; and chemical acetylation might be just what is needed to prevent its decay. Check out this new article and learn more about the methods being tested today: pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Schematic for the acetylated secondary plant cell wall model. The secondary plant cell wall model utilized here is a representative of hardwood species, starting with lignin (brown), hemicellulose (green), and cellulose (blue) solvated in 30% water weight (% WT) and 35.5 mM concentration of Na+. (A) The acetylation treatment involves the deprotonation of exposed hydroxyl groups by acetic anhydride to produce acetyl groups. (B) The moisture content of wood cell walls is reduced as the acetylation level increases (% weight-percent gain (WPG)). (32,35,38,39) (C) Unacetylated cell wall model has been acetylated using two distinct mechanisms, (i) expanded wherein only the acetyl group is added with no other changes yielding an increased box volume and (ii) constant system where acetyl groups directly displace water molecules yielding a relatively consistent box volume.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 25

Since 1978, Arabidopsis has garnered lots of attention. This is because of researchers around the world, whose published papers on Arabidopsis grew from a handful in 1978 to over 100,000+ entries. Check out the story here to learn more: natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/20...

The Somerville lab during the 1987 International Conference on Arabidopsis Research.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 20

From Paris, to Alberta, to Lansing MI, Chris and Shauna Somerville have traveled the world to research their passions. Their journey led them to @MSU, where their research on Arabidopsis would influence the lives of thousands. Read more about their story here:
natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/20...

Chris Somerville in the greenhouses at Michigan State University.

Shauna Somerville at her bench in the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 18

“Becoming the next director of the PRL is a tremendous honor and a deeply meaningful opportunity,” Brandizzi said. “The PRL has a storied legacy of groundbreaking research, interdisciplinary and collaboration in plant science, and I am humbled to carry that forward."

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 18

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory names Federica Brandizzi as next director

Brandizzi is a prolific researcher within the plant science community and the next PRL director

natsci.msu.edu

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MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 14

It began with the seedling of an idea, sprouting over the years into a field of research that has touched many lives. The legacy of Arabidopsis remains a prime example of how science often takes the time and care of generations. natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/20...

Seeding the Field

How the development of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism led to innovation in the plant sciences, agriculture and human health

natsci.msu.edu

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MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 13

This summer, the Vermaas lab hosted Rosie Carter as a part of the REU program! She presented her research at the 2025 MidSURE research symposium.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 12

Have you heard? Undergrads are participating in summer research, fueling future bioeconomy. Check out how these 21 students are developing new and innovative ways to combat weather extremes being put on agricultural production:
natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/20...

The 2025 Plant Genomics REU cohort with their mentors.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 7

Robust and reproducible plant culture systems are essential for studying physiological, molecular, and developmental responses under controlled conditions. Current Protocols has published an article going more in depth about this topic: currentprotocols.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

plit-root hydroponic system using a 96-well pipette tip box platform for differential nutrient treatment. (A) Schematic overview of the split-root experimental procedure employing the modular hydroponic setup. (B) Twenty-day-old Arabidopsis thaliana plants (DAG 20) were carefully removed from the initial growth system, and their root systems were gently divided into two equal halves using sterile forceps. Each root half was then transferred into separate tip boxes containing either phosphate-sufficient (+P) or phosphate-deficient (–P) nutrient solutions. Aluminum foil was folded and shaped into a stable support stand, with custom perforations to securely hold the PCR tubes in an upright position, thereby maintaining root orientation and ensuring contact with the respective medium. This setup enables spatially distinct nutrient treatments while preserving a unified shoot, facilitating the investigation of local versus systemic signaling responses.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 6

In Arabidopsis, salicylic acid biosynthesis occurs predominantly through the isochorismate synthase (ICS) route. Check out more in this recently published article by Nature titled "Deciphering phenylalanine-derived salicylic acid biosynthesis in plants"
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Quantification of benzoyl-CoA (a) and BA (b) in leaves from two-week-old wild-type (ZH11) and cnl mutant rice by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Values were normalized to fresh weight. Data are mean ± s.d. (n = 3 biologically independent samples). Statistical significance was determined by two-tailed Student’s t-tests. c, Gene co-expression analysis to identify peroxisomal protein-encoding genes that are highly co-expressed with OsCNL1. The plot shows the top 2,000 genes that are co-expressed with OsCNL1, each represented as a dot (data source: ATTED-II; https://atted.jp/). The dot-to-pentagram distance scales inversely with bait gene co-expression strength. d, Subcellular localization of YFP–OsBEBT. Confocal microscopy images show the co-localization of YFP–OsBEBT and the peroxisome marker CFP–SKL in N. benthamiana leaf epidermis. The region outlined in magenta is enlarged and displayed on the right.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Aug 5

New pathways in toxic chemicals, a retirement, and an incredible new photo of the month! Check it all out and more here in the news:
mailchi.mp/msu/prl-news...

1st Great Lakes Plant Science Conference (GLPSC2025), taking place September 12-14, 2025, at the Lansing Center in Lansing, MI!

“The Grizzly Giant is a giant sequoia and the oldest tree Yosemite National Park.”

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MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Jul 23

Farmer's are looking to grow more successful crops- and a newly discovered pathway in a plant process could be just the thing they're looking for. Learn more here:
natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/20...

Corn crop with a spot of bright sunlight peeking through the tall stalks.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Jul 22

The Plant Journal has published a new piece titled "Through the lens of bioenergy crops: advances, bottlenecks, and promises of plant engineering" Check it out here to learn more!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Roadmap of the integrated tools advancing bioenergy crop improvement.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Jul 14

We recently had the honor to celebrate with Tom Sharkey as he begins his retirement. Tom spent 51 years in the plant sciences, maintaining a robust research program while teaching and mentoring young scientists. Read more about his career: natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/20...

Reposted by MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory

MSU Plant Resilience Institute @msupri.bsky.social · Jul 11

Just two months left until the inaugural Great Lakes Plant Science Conference! 🌿 Make sure to register by August 31 to join us in expanding horizons in plant science at: research.msu.edu/glpsc2025

#GLPSC2025 #PlantScience #PlantBiology

A graphic promoting GLPSC 2025 with a background image of blurred leaves and an outline of the Great Lakes. The text says, "1st Great Lakes Plant Science Conference, September 12-14, 2025, the Lansing Center, Lansing, MI. Register Today! Organized by 10 universities around the Great Lakes to push the boundaries of plant science, promote collaborations, and empower the next-generation plant science leaders. Hosted by Michigan State University and the Plant Resilience Institute." The logos of the following participating institutions are at the bottom: Michigan State University, Plant Resilience Institute, Indiana University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Chicago, University of Guelph, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, University of Toronto, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Jul 9

An endless thank you to Professor Thomas D. Sharkey for his 51 years of research, teaching, and collaboration. As he heads into retirement, we wanted to recognize how his efforts have made a resounding impact on the world of science. Read here for more on his legacy:
natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/20...

Thomas D. Sharkey with former lab member, Sarathi Weraduwage.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Jul 8

Looking for a story? Well, have we got you covered! Check out the latest news from the Plant Research Laboratories!
mailchi.mp/msu/prl-news...

Paramecium bursaria in endosymbiosis with microalgae, as seen under a microscope.

Tom Sharkey measures the rate of photosynthesis and isoprene being released by a soybean plant.

Researchers pose with a drone used to monitor vegetation composition from above.

MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory @msudoeplantlab.bsky.social · Jul 3

Check out this video representation of the protein human cis-Prenyltransferase (h-cisPT) as it binds itself to a membrane. This ensures that that the protein is oriented properly, allowing it to do its job properly. Watch the visualization at this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwja...

A graphic of the protein called human cis-Prenyltransferase (h-cisPT) as it binds itself to a membrane.