The draft genome of the transgenic tropical fruit tree papaya (Carica papaya Linnaeus)
The draft genome of the transgenic tropical fruit tree papaya (: Carica papaya: Linnaeus) : Abstract : Nature
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Plants are not only smart, but they also wage a good fight, as per a University of Missouri biochemist. Prior studies have shown that plants can sense attacks by pathogens and activate their defenses. However, it has not been known what happens between the pathogen attacks and the defense activation, until now. A new MU [...]

Life on Earth would be impossible without plants. Humans rely on plants for most clothing, furniture, food, as well as for many pharmaceuticals and other products.Plant genome sciences are essential to understanding how plants function and how to develop desirable plant characteristics. For example, plant genomic science can contribute to the development of plants that [...]

Using a systems biological analysis of genome-scale data from the model plant Arabidopsis, an international team of scientists identified that the master gene controlling the biological clock is sensitive to nutrient status. The study will appear in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This hypothesis derived from multi-network analysis [...]

… at Further Thoughts.
Berry Go Round is a carnival for Plants. But you don’t have to be a plant to submit a post. Just be interested in plants, generally from a biological and evolutionary perspective, not just, “I like plants, plants are cool.”
The next edition will be hosted HERE, here…. where you [...]

Research highlight by Doron Lancet, Crown Human Genome Center, Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
Living cells are typically asymmetric, having tens of thousands different biopolymers (proteins and polynucleotides), but merely <1000 types of small molecules, such as amino acids and lipids. An exception is certain plant cells that harbor members of [...]

The United States is the world’s top corn grower, producing 44 percent of the global crop. In 2007, U.S. farmers produced a record 13.1 billion bushels of corn, an increase of nearly 25 percent over the previous year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The 2007 production value of corn was estimated at more [...]

The world’s biggest flower—which weighs 15 pounds and smells of rotting flesh—evolved from one of the world’s smallest, say the scientists who have finally figured out to which plants Rafflesia is most closely related.
100. Tiny Origin of The World’s Largest Flower | Evolution | DISCOVER Magazine
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For centuries, mothers have wrongly told their children that eating carrots will improve their vision. The sight-enhancing properties of these iconic vegetables is be a myth (albeit a fascinating one involving Nazis and fighter pilots) but if Jay Morris has anything to say about it, they may soon be better known for building strong bones.
Meet [...]

The biggest obstacle to development of truly innovative biofuels is likely to be the entrenched agriculture industry and the system of subsidies that have been reinforced in the new federal energy bill’s ethanol supports.
DuPont looking beyond corn in biofuels (Tech Confidential - VC Ratings)
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