š» The Week in Botany August 14, 2023
Itās been a puzzling week on Twitter, with some stories getting a lot of traction, but a lot less middle-ground tweets. In other Twitter news, The Thesis Whisperer has shut down her account. You can follow her at aus.social/@thesiswhisperer on Mastodon.
Iām looking forward to this week. Iām hoping later today, weāll have a post by Ingrid Gomes live on how domestication is changing pollination. Itās going to be a bit of work to format. The English version is ready to go, but weāll also have human translations in Spanish, French and Portguese that need sorting out.
There will be another email with you at the same time next week, unless my lungs get worse. Until then, take care.
Alun (webmaster@botany.one)
On Botany One
How Summer Heat Kills Fragile Flowers
New research reveals how heatwaves and drought together can rapidly and irreversibly damage flowers through a process called runaway cavitation.
Can you predict a successful invasive species before it invades?
Researchers found that plant species with certain traits, like longer bloom periods and efficient resource utilisation, are more likely to successfully thrive in foreign environments.
Daylight shrubbery with thieving hummingbirds
Urban hummingbirds opportunistically sip nectar from both native and non-native flowers to survive year-round, though their thieving ways may limit the spread of those alluring alien blooms.
The role of floral scent in pollinator attraction
Scientists studied how the scents of a Solanaceae species vary and how they affect pollinator visitation and found that although floral perfume is an important factor, other signals might affect pollinators visits.
Pigging-out on soy
The environmental advantages of plant-based food are overshadowed by the ethical quandary posed by genetically-modified soybean.
News & Views
How trees battle for space and survival in tropical forests
A study published in 'Science' on August 4 demonstrates how trees pushing out their neighbors of the same species has enabled the coexistence of a large and diverse number of species.
Lahainaās Historic Banyan Tree Is Scarred, but Standing
Planted in 1873, the tree has grown to cover more than half an acre. County officials said it ālooks burnedā after the Maui fires, but the roots may still be healthy.
The positional transmitter of statoliths unveiled: It keeps plants from getting lazy
Plants orient their organs in response to the gravity vector, with roots growing towards gravity and shoots growing in the opposite direction. The movement of statoliths responding to the inclination relative to the gravity vector is employed for gravity sensing in both plants and animals. However, in plants, the statolith takes the form of a high-density organelle, known as an amyloplast, which settles toward gravity within the gravity sensing cell.
Plants find it harder to absorb carbon dioxide amid global warming
A modelling study suggests that increases in photosynthesis have slowed since 2000, opposing previous research that said this effect would remain strong, helping to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
Trees Planted by the City in East Portland Two Years Ago Are Dead Because the City Didnāt Water Them
via BoingBoing, who summarise the story as: City of Portland planted trees in downtrodden neighborhood and then didn't bother to water them.
ā»ļø There arenāt enough trees in the world to offset societyās carbon emissions ā and there never will be
One morning in 2009, I sat on a creaky bus winding its way up a mountainside in central Costa Rica, light-headed from diesel fumes as I clutched my many suitcases. They contained thousands of test tubes and sample vials, a toothbrush, a waterproof notebook and two changes of clothes.
Pusan National University Researchers Identify Peptides for Pollen Tube Growth in Rice
Double fertilization is a complex mechanism in flowering plants, wherein two sperm cells fuse with the embryo sac. To achieve this, pollens released from anthers must interact with the plant's stigma, hydrate, and germinate into pollen tubes. Thus, pollen tube germination and elongation are crucial for double fertilization, which, in turn, influences the grain yield of crop plants.
Hawaiiās endangered plant species face a long road to recovery after wildfires
Hawaii is home to 44% of the nationās endangered plant species. This weekās fires mean a longer road to their restoration.
Let There Be Dark
Crops grown without sunlight could help feed astronauts bound for Mars, and someday supplement dinner plates on Earth.
Scientific Papers
ā»ļø To Be Scientific Is To Be Communist
What differentiates scientific research from non-scientific inquiry? Bright and Heesenās tentative answer is the communist norm, which calls on scientists to share their work widely for public scrutiny and evaluation.
The AUX1-AFB1-CNGC14 module establishes a longitudinal root surface pH profile
Serre et al. show, by using an improved method for visualization and quantification of root surface pH, that the Arabidopsis thaliana root surface pH shows distinct acidic and alkaline zones, which are not primarily determined by the activity of AHA H+-ATPases. Instead, the distinct domain of alkaline pH in the root transition zone is controlled by a rapid auxin response module, consisting of the AUX1 auxin influx carrier, the AFB1 auxin co-receptor, and the CNCG14 calcium channel.
Real-time calcium imaging in living plants
GCaMPs, genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs), contain an enhanced GFP (EGFP) sequence with significantly increased luminescence intensity. A hexapeptide GGTGGS connects the amino and carboxyl ends of the EGFP protein to form cpEGFP (circularly mutated EGFP). The C end of cpEGFP is connected to calmodulin (CaM), and the N end of cpEGFP is connected to the Ca2+/CaM-binding āM13ā peptide (M13pep). When the CaM in GCaMP binds to Ca2+, the conformation of CaM changes and it interacts with M13, leading to a conformational change in cpEGFP and enhanced fluorescence of cpEGFP. Therefore, changes in GCaMP fluorescence intensity can be used to indicate changes in cytoplasmic calcium levels.
DNA-free high-quality RNA extraction from 39 difficult-to-extract plant species (representing seasonal tissues and tissue types) of 32 families, and its validation for downstream molecular applications
High-purity RNA serves as the basic requirement for downstream molecular analysis of plant species, especially the differential expression of genes to various biotic and abiotic stimuli. But, the extraction of high-quality RNA is usually difficult from plants rich in polysaccharides and polyphenols, and their presence usually interferes with the downstream applications. The aim of the study is to optimize the extraction of high-quality RNA from diverse plant species/tissues useful for downstream molecular applications.
The power of patterns: new insights into pattern-triggered immunity
The plant immune system features numerous immune receptors localized on the cell surface to monitor the apoplastic space for danger signals from a broad range of plant colonizers. Recent discoveries shed light on the enormous complexity of molecular signals sensed by these receptors, how they are generated and removed to maintain cellular homeostasis and immunocompetence, and how they are shaped by host-imposed evolutionary constraints.
25 Years of thermomorphogenesis research: milestones and perspectives
In 1998, Bill Gray and colleagues showed that warm temperatures trigger arabidopsis hypocotyl elongation in an auxin-dependent manner. This laid the foundation for a vibrant research discipline. With several active members of the āthermomorphogenesisā community, Quint et al. reflect on 25 years of elevated ambient temperature research and look to the future.
A molecular mechanosensor for real-time visualization of appressorium membrane tension in Magnaporthe oryzae
Using fluorescence lifetime imaging of a membrane-targeting molecular mechanoprobe, Ryder et al. quantify changes in membrane tension in M. oryzae. They show that extreme pressure in the appressorium leads to large-scale spatial heterogeneities in membrane mechanics, much greater than those observed in any cell type previously.
Cell polarity linked to gravity sensing is generated by LZY translocation from statoliths to the plasma membrane
In flowering plants, starch-accumulating plastids, known as amyloplasts, act as statoliths to facilitate downstream gravitropism. The gravity sensing mechanism has long been considered a mechanosensing process by which amyloplasts transmit forces to intracellular structures, but the molecular mechanism underlying this has not been elucidated. Nishimura et al. show that LAZY1-LIKE (LZY) family proteins involved in statocyte gravity signaling associate with amyloplasts and its proximal plasma membrane.
Auxin as an architect of the pectin matrix
This review examines the mechanism of auxin activity in regulating pectin chemistry at organ, cellular, and subcellular levels across diverse plant species.
Adaptive evolution of the enigmatic Takakia now facing climate change in Tibet
The most extreme environments are the most vulnerable to transformation under a rapidly changing climate. These ecosystems harbor some of the most specialized species, which will likely suffer the highest extinction rates. Hu et al. document the steepest temperature increase (2010ā2021) on record at altitudes of above 4,000 m, triggering a decline of the relictual and highly adapted moss Takakia lepidozioides.
Careers
Extension Plant Pathologist - Tenure Track Faculty, Montana
This is a full-time, tenure track renewable fiscal year contract; 80% Extension: 20% research. We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, possess effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University.
Applications Now Open For the 2023-2024 Plantae Fellows Program
Are you a creative and articulate plant scientist looking to connect with other like-minded folks? We need your help to nurture and grow Plantae, the online home for the global plant science community that is powered by ASPB. We are looking for individuals who want to become highly engaged by creating and curating content, facilitating and hosting discussions, and otherwise fostering our growing global community.
The Plant Cell is accepting applications for Assistant Features Editors
Are you an early career researcher passionate about plants, writing, and science communication? The Plant Cell is accepting applications for new Assistant Features Editors (AFEs) for 2024. AFEs provide a valuable service to the journal, our authors, and the scientific community. In return, AFEs join our editorial board and receive training and experience in writing and communicating scientific findings to a wide audience, as well as networking opportunities and editor training through participating in activities of The Plant Cell editorial board. We are welcoming applications through Monday, September 18, 2023.
Plant Physiology is recruiting Assistant Features Editors for 2024
The mission of the Assistant Features Editor (AFE) program is to help disseminate exciting discoveries published in Plant Physiology and to advance young scientistsā careers. This past January, Plant Physiology welcomed 19 new Assistant Features Editors to the editorial board. Together with the AFEs recruited in 2022, these young scientists have brought their passion for science to the journal, communicating to our readers some of the most exciting Plant Physiology papers through News and Views articles. Some examples of News and Views written by Assistant Features Editors can be found here https://academic.oup.com/plphys/issue#1359022-6554961 .
Research Associate II, Idaho
Performs research activities and analysis; implements, evaluates and recommends adjustments to research procedures. Responsible for synthesizing and independently preparing results for publication. Works under general supervision with a significant degree of creativity and latitude. May coordinate research operations and the daily activities of junior research personnel.
General Biology Lab Assistant, Denver
This position will assist the General Biology Lab Coordinator with all aspects of the efficient operation of General Biology laboratories.
Technician, Oxford
The Department of Biology is seeking to recruit a Research Assistant for 1 year. This post is financially supported by the funds from the BBSRC awarded to Dr Francesco Licausi. The work is to be conducted in his lab in the Department Biology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RB. The postholder will support ongoing research that aims to identify the function of hypoxia-regulated proteins in different plant species including Brassicaceae and bryophytes.
Research Assistant - Crop Transformation, Cambridge
We are recruiting a Research Assistant to provide technical support in our crop transformation research projects. Working within glasshouses and laboratories, the role is focused on plant micropropagation, transformation and ongoing husbandry. Duties include looking after plants in tissue culture, preparing media and constructs for transformations, genotyping, seed germination and ongoing care of transformed plants.
Assistant Lecturer in Agri-Ecology, Galway
Given the continued expansion of our research in areas related to Agri-Ecology, we now wish to recruit Assistant Lecturers with expertise in Agri Ecology, aligned to the undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes of our Dept, MAC and the MFRC. The role will involve delivery and continuing development of programmes within the Dept and may include teaching and research supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Research Engineer (Plant Nanotechnology), Singapore
Positions are available for Research Engineers or Research Assistants inĀ the Lew LabĀ led by Assistant ProfessorĀ Tedrick Thomas Salim LEWĀ at the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS). In our lab, we combine approaches from nanotechnology, engineering, chemistry and plant biology to engineer new tools to study plants.
Research Fellow (Biological Sciences), Singapore
This is one of the three open positions for Postdoctoral Fellows (Research Fellows) in the lab of Yuchen Long. The successful candidate will work on an interdisciplinary project on the biomechanical regulations in plant development. Our lab is interested in how biomechanical inputs, particularly tissue mechanics and hydraulics, contribute to the developmental processes in the plant meristematic tissues.