Researchers have identified several key compounds that shape the microbial communities dwelling around plant roots and soil, opening up the possibility for agricultural strategies that precisely and sustainably improve plant health and crop yields. One such compound was serotonin, a signaling molecule commonly known for its role in mood regulation. In this context, serotonin was found to enhance plant growth and shape microbial communities living around plant roots under nutrient-rich … [Read more...]
Metabolomics Help Researchers Uncover Hidden Carbon Pathway in Photosynthesis
mCAFEs-supported metabolomics work has helped Earth & Environmental Sciences Area (EESA) scientists discover a new carbon pathway occurring during photosynthesis that sheds light on plant growth and resilience. Earth & Environmental Sciences Area Postdoc and coauthor Suman Som analyzing the California Poplar trees that were used in this study at the Oxford Tract Experimental Facility in Berkeley, California. (Credit: Kolby Jardine) Photosynthesis, despite being a broadly understood … [Read more...]
Adams Offers Cap-tivating Mushroom Outreach
Cat Adams, a research scientist in Biosciences senior scientist Trent Northen’s group, kicked off a busy season of public outreach with a keynote reprising her 2022 BioEPIC Slam-winning talk, “Funky Fungal Farts,” at the Mycological Society of San Francisco's (MSSF)’s Mendocino Mushroom Camp in November 2024. In her talk, Adams discussed her postdoc work examining how fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) affect bacteria. Yes, the same VOCs that one might air out after unwrapping a new foam … [Read more...]
Jennifer Doudna Awarded National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Biochemist Jennifer Doudna, a faculty scientist in the Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging (MBIB) Division and part of the UC Berkeley-based team for m-CAFEs, has received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement. The award is bestowed by the president of the United States on America’s leading innovators. President Biden named Doudna one of 11 recipients of the medal in a Jan. 3 announcement. Doudna, who is also … [Read more...]
Comparing profiles of three species reveals common core metabolites for plant roots
The Science Studying a plant’s metabolome, or the complete set of small molecules in a biological sample, provides a snapshot of the plant’s metabolic profile at a given time, and is a key tool for understanding how plants respond to environmental changes and stressors. It reveals metabolites that can be linked to specific traits or functions, which can be useful for crop improvement and other applications. In particular, studying root exudates—the suite of substances secreted by plant … [Read more...]
