Karrikins are small molecules found in smoke that promote seed germination and have been associated with the activation of seeds following fire (Nelson et al., 2012). Strigolactones are structurally similar small molecules that act as endogenous hormones and as secreted signals that promote the germination of parasitic plants and branching responses in mycrorrhizal fungi (Brewer … Read more
This week’s Research in Focus article has two take-home messages. The first is about how an important plant pathogen is recognized by its host: specifically, the role of a newly-identified tyrosine-sulfated bacterial protein. The second is about the process of science and the foundation of trust on which it rests: specifically, how to proceed when … Read more
This post is part of the Recognizing our Authors series. Xing Wang Deng The Plant Cell, Plant Physiology Xing Wang Deng is a university endowed professor of plant biology at Peking University. He graduated from Peking University in 1985 with an MS degree and then from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1989 with a … Read more
In an increasingly competitive environment to earn federal grants, opportunities exist to help researchers at the beginning of their careers. The following report contains an overview of federal government funding opportunities and fellowship programs that provide support for early career researchers working at universities or other non-government institutions. Some programs provide support for early career … Read more
Inositol phosphates are a family of small molecules in which one to eight phosphates are attached to an inositol ring. The number and positions of phosphates determine the molecules’ properties, which range from phosphate storage to vesicle trafficking, energy signaling and metabolism. Inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6, also known as phytate) has a phosphate group attached to … Read more
Mid-July and the verdant cool of New Hampshire’s White Mountains provided the idyllic backdrop for the Plant Metabolic Engineering Gordon Research Conference and its 150 attendees. Organized by co-chairs Rick Dixon (U. North Texas) and Sarah O’Connor (John Innes Center), the meeting progressed from showing how our understanding of plant metabolism is changing to emerging … Read more
Twitter is quickly becoming the platform of choice for connections and communications at scientific conferences and beyond. The current culture of science, which values openness, accessibility and broad participation, is enhanced by the barrier-free Twitter environment; everyone has an equal right to participate in Twitter conversations. At several conferences this summer I’ve been asked for … Read more
Many global challenges facing people around the world are linked directly to plant biology. These challenges include ensuring the sustainable availability of food, fiber, energy, and fresh water for a predicted 9 billion inhabitants in the near future, with many resources already being stretched. Solutions to these and related challenges will depend on scientific innovation … Read more
Education Minisymposium (#27) Wednesday 3:45-5:10, Room 101 I-J Berkley Walker: The Sounds of Science collaboration between plant biologists and music composition students Sue Wick: Sharing the Wealth – Mentoring other colleagues and the next generation of undergraduate teachers in evidence-based (scientific) teaching. Marian Quain: Introducing basic biotechnology teaching techniques in high schools in Jessamina Blum: Introducing … Read more
We are pleased to announce that Amy Klocko has received one of our ten Women’s Young Investigator Travel Awards. Amy is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. She would like to present her research to a wider audience than her home department and university. Amy also will … Read more
We are pleased to announce that Cora MacAllister has received one of our ten Women’s Young Investigator Travel Awards. Cora is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan’s Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Department. In this position, she will be responsible for establishing an independent research group, securing external funding and teaching graduate and … Read more
This post is part of the Recognizing our Authors series. York-Dieter Stierhof The Plant Cell York-Dieter Stierhof is the head of the central facility for electron microscopy at the Center for Plant Molecular Biology ZMBP at the University of Tübingen. He studied biology at the University of Tübingen and got his PhD in zoology/parasitology. During … Read more
This post is part of the Recognizing our Authors series. David Casero The Plant Cell, Plant Physiology David Casero is an assistant researcher in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA. He earned his BS in theoretical physics and PhD in applied mathematics at Complutense University in Spain. David conducted postdoctoral research in Matteo … Read more
The following letter was sent to our USA members in regards to the Cornell Alliance for Science petition. This issue is extremely important regarding transparency concerning publicly-funded research and scientific investigations. Please read below to help support the plant science and research community with this issue. On January 28th, 2015, 14 scientists from four universities were targeted … Read more
This post is part of the Recognizing our Authors series. Ian Baldwin The Plant Cell, Plant Physiology Ian Baldwin graduated with a PhD in chemical ecology from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, Section of Neurobiology and Behavior in 1989. He was an assistant (1989), associate (1993), and full professor (1996) in the Department of Biology … Read more
At ASPB, we are privileged to publish the work of a range of authors whose scientific experience and academic leadership have helped establish our journals, Plant Physiology and The Plant Cell, as highly respected sources of knowledge for the advancement of plant science. In 2009, we analyzed citations to our journals for papers published between … Read more
We are pleased to announce that several distinguished plant scientists – most of them members of the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) – have been elected as members or foreign associates of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Three members of the … Read more
One morning in early February I received an unusual email. It was from my colleague here at University of Florida, Dr. David Oppenheimer. It simply said, “FYI”, and was followed by a note from university General Counsel that email records were demanded back to 2012 under auspices of Florida Sunshine, or Freedom of Information Act … Read more
We are pleased to announce that our nominee, Channapatna Prakash of Tuskegee University, was named the 2015 Borlaug Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) Communication Award for outstanding efforts using his research and communication skills to promote food production. The announcement was made this morning at a National Press Club event in Washington, DC. Borlaug … Read more
The ASPB Midwestern regional section held its annual meeting on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22 at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, MO. Over 150 attendees from 37 institutions across the Midwest were present for 32 oral presentations and over 70 posters. The presentations were primarily given by undergraduate and … Read more
