News

Confocal microscopy image showing an Arabidopsis thaliana seedling that has been heat shocked to induce cell division in the hypocotyl. Image by Mahwish Ejaz.Investigating how cell division influences decision-making in plantsSLCU researchers Sarah Robinson and James Locke are joining forces to explore a long-debated theory on whether plant develop…

Cross section of an Arabidopsis thaliana leaf showing the two layers of photosynthetic tissue – the palisade (more tightly packed cells in upper half) and spongy mesophyll (randomly spaced irregular shaped cells in lower half). Image by Emilio Aldorino.Identifying the master regulators of photosynthetic cell identitySLCU’s Chris Whitewoods has rece…

How new plant cell walls change their mechanical properties after cell divisionScientists reveal new plant cell walls can have significantly different mechanical properties compared to surrounding parental cell walls, enabling cells to change their local shape and influence the growth of plant organs.This is the first time that scientists have rela…

Can we provide plants with advance warning of impending dangers?Imagine if humans could ‘talk’ to plants and warn them of approaching pest attacks or extreme weather. A team of plant scientists at the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University (SLCU) would like to turn this science fiction into reality using light-based messaging to ‘talk’ to plants…

Model of poplar macrofibril assembly without (left) and with callose deposition (right). Callose self-aggregates in between macrofibrils, which explains the observed increase in secondary cell wall porosity. The range of pore size affected is 4–30 nm, which is in the size range of hydrolytic enzymes. As such, callose is believed to act as a hydroph…

Funding to advance strategy that promises long-lasting disease resistance against multiple root rot pathogens in barleySainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University (SLCU) has received funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to advance fundamental research to develop broad root disease resistance in barley. Barle…

A protein structure model of the ABACUS2 biosensor made by the Jones lab to detect the plant hormone ABA.Dry days trigger leaves to send a surprising growth signal telling roots to keep growing Scientists at the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University (SLCU) have discovered a new molecular signalling pathway, triggered when leaves are exposed to …

Confocal image of Arabiopsis hypocotyl treated with brassinosteroid inhibitor. The seedling shows cracks appearing in the epidermis. Image by James Fitzsimons.Internal twists in a mutant carnivorous plant reveal how genes control growth coordination via tissue mechanicsAn aquatic carnivorous plant has helped to explain how plants avoid cracking up …

Cambridge appoints Professor of Quantitative Plant DevelopmentDr James Locke has been appointed as the Professor of Quantitative Plant Development at the University of Cambridge, a new single tenure professorship that will build on the University’s strengths in plant science research.Dr Locke, who is currently Associate Director and Group Leader at…

Join the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University (SLCU) at this year's Festival of Plants on Saturday 10 June 10:00 - 17:00.The Cambridge University Botanic Garden's annual Festival of Plants is a day for exploring the wonderful world of plantsCome and test how well you can select cells that are going to successfully divide to grow your cell colo…

Models of the structures of FOLD proteins from a pathogen (blue) and a symbiotic fungus (orange) superimposed onto each other to show how similar they are. Image by Albin Teulet.Symbiotic and pathogenic fungi that interact with plants are distantly related and don’t share many genetic similarities. Comparing plant pathogenic fungi and plant symbiot…

Humans of SLCUTaking inspiration from Humans of New York, each week we will feature people from our SLCU community.Meet Sebastián…Dr Sebastián Moreno Ramirez  | Research Associate Twitter @seba_moreno_rSebastián is a plant development biologist studying stem cells, in particular the shoot apical meristem dynamic (SAM) and the different cell-fate de…

Humans of SLCUTaking inspiration from Humans of New York, each week we will feature people from our SLCU community.Meet Sonal…Dr Sonal Yadav  |  Research Associate  |  Jones Group@Sonal6161  | LinkedInSonal joined SLCU in January 2023 as a Research Associate and is working in three research groups - Alexander Jones, Henrik Jönsson and Elliot Meyero…

Understanding the evolution of novelty through computational modellingThe most striking outcome of evolution is the emergence of novel forms of life, with new abilities and interesting shapes, colours and sizes. In an Essays in Biochemistry review, Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University’s (SLCU) Enrico Sandro Colizzi and Renske M.A. Vroomans, to…

Humans of SLCUTaking inspiration from Humans of New York, each week we will feature people from our SLCU community.Meet Albin…Dr Albin Teulet  | Research Associate  |  Schornack Group  | @AlbinTeulet | ResearchGateAlbin has a background in plant molecular biology and plant/microbe interactions. He completed his end-of-study internship in the labora…