News
October 25, 2023
The movement of electrons across wires is what allows us to use electricity every day. Biological nanowires, microscopic wires made of proteins, have caught researchers’ attention for their ability to carry electrons over long distances. In a recent study published in Small by the Vermaas lab at the PRL, researchers expand our understanding of biological nanowires through the use of computer simulations.
October 24, 2023
Berkley Walker didn’t plan on becoming a scientist; he wanted to be an entrepreneur. And he got started early on that goal: In high school in Portland, Ore., he started a granola bar company, which helped pay for his bachelor’s degree in microbiology.
October 18, 2023
Gregg Howe is a PRL researcher who is internationally known for his work on plant resilience. He recently spent a year in Japan as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar, where he collaborated with Japanese scientists on research focused on understanding and improving plant resilience traits.
October 17, 2023
As potential for biofuel, switchgrass is a perennial plant that is of great interest to researchers. Scientists from the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory Walker lab are looking at how these plants regrow, even when regrowing with less than its usual carbon storage.
October 5, 2023
Trees including oak and poplar will emit more isoprene — a compound that worsens air pollution — as global temperatures rise, according to new MSU research.
September 28, 2023
Growing the legacy – Michigan State University embarks on campaign to recruit new plant science faculty.
September 27, 2023
The MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory Community Building and Outreach Committee participated in the inaugural MSU Detroit Early Honors Experience, a collaboration between Detroit Public Schools Community District and several departments at MSU. The day PRL participated in was focused on teaching Detroit high schoolers plant science concepts and research techniques out in the field.
September 14, 2023
In plants, the jasmonate signaling pathway helps plants control their defense responses to environmental stresses. Like the human body, plants respond differently to individual threats. Just as people wouldn’t get a fever due to a sprained ankle, plants deal with harmful elements in particular ways. A study from the Howe lab looks at how plants respond to environmental threats in the correct way.
August 30, 2023
MSU researchers reveal a biological pathway that could be targeted to breed more resilient crops.
August 29, 2023
Mentored by MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory members, four undergraduate students participated in laboratory research this summer, as a part of the Plant Genomics @ Michigan State University Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.