Find out more about our ground-breaking insights into the intricate inner world of plants. The Past Over millions of years plants evolved to conquer the land – stabilising the soil and transforming water circulation across continents. Our research is solving enduring mysteries from the dawn of the earliest plant ancestors. For example, we have: Developed a 3D model of a 400-million-year-old fossil has shed light on an enduring mystery about how some of Earth’s first plants evolved and helped make the planet liveable. Fossil study gets to root of how early plants made earth habitable Revealed how plants have adapted to survive in extreme environments. Solving a puzzle that has long baffled botanists - why some plants on high mountainsides are hairy while their low-lying cousins are bald. Baldness gene discovery reveals origin of hairy alpine plants The Present Our discoveries continue to challenge and change our knowledge of plants. For example, we have: Uncovered the mechanisms behind sweeping biological shifts that allow plants to adapt to changing seasons, dramatic shifts in temperature and light. One switch to control them all – unravelling seasonality in plants Revealed how the extraordinary flying ability of dandelion seeds is possible thanks to a form of flight that has not been seen before in nature. Dandelion seeds reveal newly discovered form of natural flight Discovered the secret to grasses remarkable regenerative powers, which is in part due to the shape of its leaves - settling a longstanding debate on how this shape arises. Scientists solve the grass leaf conundrum The Future Breakthroughs in our understanding of plant biology are the foundation that will allow us to breed plants that can meet the growing challenges of a changing climate and rapidly growing population. It also offers the opportunity to harness the complexity of plant and algal metabolism to create new medicines, food and drink ingredients and renewable fuels. For example, we have: Developed a low-cost imaging system to help farmers see and measure root growth - enabling them to quickly and easily identify crops that thrive in poor soil conditions. Food security boost as data gets to root of crop yields problem Demonstrated how the yields of vital food crops such as rice, wheat and soybean could be improved by equipping plants with proteins from algae to enhance their growth. Algae superpowers could provide major boost to food security Discovered how vast quantities of medicines and renewable fuels could be produced by algae using a new gene-editing technique. Algae could feed and fuel planet with aid of new hi-tech tool Developed an environmentally-friendly way of boosting the production and heat stability of a natural blue colouring. Natural blue food colouring gets eco-friendly production boost This article was published on 2024-06-17
