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Engineering the orthogonalized and more reversible GPS2 biosensor to reduce GPS1 interference with and by endogenous signaling via re-engineering the GID1–DELLA interaction interface

Advanced biosensor uncovers role of gibberellin in integrating light signalling and stem growth in plants

Alexander Jones' lab has engineered an improved nlsGPS2 biosensor, which has uncovered how gibberellin (GA) helps integrate light signaling and stem growth.

GPS2 biosensor microscopy imaging shows GA accumulates early in the nodule development and persist in the nodule apex.

Next generation biosensor reveals gibberellin’s critical role in legume nitrogen-fixation

By engineering second-generation Forster Resonance Energy Tranfer (FRET) biosensors, Alexander Jones' team is now revealing how plant hormones like gibberellin (GA) are orchestrating plant developmental processes at the cellular level in real time.

Rising stars in plant sciences

SLCU Group leader Alexander Jones has been recognised for his contributions to plant science research by being awarded a Rising Star in Plant Sciences 2024 Award.

Light microscopy image of a beneficial arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus colonising a barley root (left) and Barley seedlings grown in the laboratory and infected with the root rot fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana resulting in root browning symptoms (right).

International Day of Plant Health

International Day of Plant Health - How to develop strategies for healthier crops On the UN’s International Day of Plant Health (12 May), Sebastian Schornack highlights why prioritising plant health should be at the top of every government’s policy agenda and discusses innovative strategies under development to bolster...

Spider mites on Arabidopsis thaliana at different magnifications

Plants utilise drought stress hormone to block snacking spider mites

Recent findings that plants employ a drought-survival mechanism to also defend against nutrient-sucking pests could inform future crop breeding programmes aimed at achieving better broadscale pest control.

Jehnna Yang is exhibiting a novel plant-inspired plastic-free textile at the 2024 Milan Design Week. Yang is pictured examining the woolly farina of the alpine plant, Dionysia tapetodes, under a Keyence microscope at the Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge.

Plastic-free mountaineering clothing inspired by alpine plants unveiled at Milan Design Week

Masters student Jehnna Yang is pushing the boundaries of sustainability and functionality with a plastic-free textile tailored for wildlife photographers and filmmakers working at high altitudes, which was inspired by an alpine plant.

ABC of flower development

The formulation of the ABC model of flower development 30 years ago was a seminal event that continues to inform and inspire. This review by Edwige Moyroud and John Bowman, traces back the history of the ABC model, the milestones and draws attention to some of the "unsolved riddles still hidden in the floral alphabet."

Montage featuring pea and broadbean plants, root nodules, and dried lentils and beans.

Secrets of soil-enriching pulses could transform future of sustainable agriculture

Secrets of soil-enriching pulses could transform future of sustainable agriculture February 10 marks World Pulses Day . World Pulses Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2019 to raise awareness of the nutritional importance of pulses : a group of edible grain legumes that are part of the bean family (...

LSH genes are required for the development of nodule primordia that can support bacterial colonisation: Confocal image of WT and lsh1/lsh2 roots 24 and 72 hpi with S. meliloti.

LSH genes required for N-fixing nodules

Cambridge scientists have identified two crucial genetic factors needed to produce specialised root organs that can accommodate nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legumes such as peas and beans.

Dr Katharina Schiessl joins SLCU as a David Sainsbury Career Development Fellow

Katharina Schiessl will head a new research group at the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University (SLCU) focused on understanding how organ diversity of plants can be reshaped by their colonisers.

Plant science at Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is home to one of the largest concentrations of plant research anywhere in the world. Visit the below organisations to find out about their work in sustainable agriculture, conservation and fundamental research.

Department of Plant Sciences

Crop Science Centre

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Cambridge University Herbarium

Cambridge Global Food Security

Cambridge Centre for Physical Biology

Conservation Research Institute

Plants @ Cambridge Hub

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