news & research-highlights

Comprehensive Analysis of TALE Transcription Factors in Sorghum bicolor: Evolution, Expression, and Functional Roles

Research shows that the TALE transcription factors in Sorghum bicolor regulate growth, development, and stress responses, showing evolutionary conservation, tissue-specific expression, and hormone-induced activity.

Evolutionary Rewiring of Gene Networks in the Transition to C4 Photosynthesis

The evolution of C4 photosynthesis involved the co-option of ancestral transcriptional networks and cis-regulatory elements, enhancing efficiency in carbon fixation and offering insights for engineering C4 traits in C3 crops.

Highlights from Plant Biology 2025

This annual gathering brought together plant scientists from around the globe for an inspiring week of scientific sessions, interactive workshops, poster presentations, and networking opportunities. The meeting served as a hub for professional growth and scientific exchange, equipping attendees with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to advance both their research and careers. This year’s conference welcomed over 984 scientists and researchers, featured 36 exhibitors, and offered 20 workshops across diverse areas of plant biology. Attendees engaged with 533 poster presentations and explored 727 completed abstracts.

Genetic Insights into Plant Height Regulation: Enhancing Crop Resilience and Yield through Brachytic Mutants

Research on brachytic mutants, including the SbMYB110 gene in sorghum and its maize ortholog ZmMYB78, demonstrates that genetic regulation of plant height through internode elongation and hormonal pathways can enhance crop resilience and yield, offering valuable strategies for modern agricultural breeding.

Evolution and Efficiency of C4 Photosynthesis: A Blueprint for Crop Enhancement

Recent genomic studies highlight the higher diversity and specialized regulatory adaptations of photosynthetic genes in C4 plants like sorghum and foxtail millet, compared to CAM plants, providing insights for improving crop resilience and productivity.

2025 CSHL Genome Informatics Conference, Nov. 5-8, Abstracts Due Aug. 22

The Genome Informatics Conference will take place at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory from November 5-8, 2025. Virtual participation is available to those not giving poster or oral presentations. The Keynote Speakers will be Yana Safonova, from Penn State, and Marinka Zitnik, from Harvard University.

Genetic Basis of Inflorescence Adaptation in Chinese Sorghum for Climate-Resilient Breeding

This study reveals how geographic adaptation shapes inflorescence morphology in Chinese sorghum, identifying key genetic regions that could be leveraged to breed climate-resilient, high-yield varieties.

CSI Seminar Sandeep Marla, July 22 at 11 AM CT

The Center for Sorghum Improvement (CSI) is hosting a virtual seminar given by Sandeep Marla, from the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University, on Tuesday, July 22 at 11 AM CT.  The title of the talk is, “Accelerating sorghum trait delivery with established public-private sector partnerships.”

Accelerating Gene Discovery in Sorghum: EMS Mutagenesis and Sequencing Reveal a Conserved Regulator of Male Fertility

Researchers demonstrated how coupling EMS mutagenesis with sequencing accelerates gene identification and validation in sorghum, revealing a conserved bHLH transcription factor essential for male fertility and highlighting broader applications for crop improvement and functional genomics.