How algae protect against sudden changes in sunlight
PMB professor Krishna Niyogi co-led a study on photoprotective memory in algae, which may help scientists develop more productive plants and improve crop yields.
A rainy season wake-up call for bacteria
Newly published research from Alexa Nicolas, PhD '23, and PMB professor Michi Taga details links between soil viruses and carbon emissions.
Microbes to the rescue with John Coates
Coates, a professor in PMB and director of the Energy and Biosciences Institute, spoke to the American Society for Microbiology about his research in applied and environmental microbiology.
A Roadmap for Gene Regulation in Plants
A novel approach to synthetic biology uncovered by PMB and Berkeley Lab researchers could revolutionize how scientists improve plants for bioenergy and agriculture.
Why Climate Scientists Are Sweet on Sorghum
Professor of Cooperative Extension Peggy Lemaux explains why sorghum, a heat-loving cereal grain, may play a key role in carbon removal efforts.
Understanding the social behavior of cells
Professor Karine Gibbs recently spoke to the Energy and Biosciences Institute about her research on bacteria and her journey to UC Berkeley.
Crops, Climate & CRISPR Regulations in Southeast Asia
Earlier this year graduate student Nicholas Karavolias went to the Philippines and Thailand to connect, talk, and teach about CRISPR with local scientists and biotech regulators.
New Compact Genome Editors Found in Viruses
PMB and ESPM researchers have identified a variety of potential CRISPR-based genome-editing tools in viruses, according to new findings published in Cell.
Expanding our knowledge of soil microbiomes
PMB graduate student Alexa Nicolas explains her research on soil viruses and their link to carbon emissions.
Cultivating resilience
PMB faculty including Krishna Niyogi and Ksenia Krasileva were featured in an article on how synthetic biology and CRISPR can help plants fight pathogens, improve crop yields, and store carbon.
Microbe Miners
Assistant Professor Cecilia Martinez-Gomez’s engineered bacteria recovers valuable elements from old smartphones, cleans up medical wastewater, and more.
Tapping the Superpowers of Biology
Professors John Coates and Sabeeha Merchant are a few of the Rausser College researchers helping the bioeconomy bring renewable, carbon-negative products to a global scale.
Like the Borg of Star Trek, these ‘aliens’ assimilate DNA from other microbes
PhD candidates Basem Al-Shayeb and Luis Valentin-Alvarado, and alum Alexander Crits-Christoph have helped identify a new transferrable DNA structure that appears to play a role in balancing atmospheric methane.
Research team receives $15.8M to modify poplar for bioproducts
Professor Patrick Shih is part of a Department of Energy-funded team led by University of Georgia researchers to reengineer poplar trees into biofuel.
New findings detail alternative immune pathways in duckweed species
Antimicrobial genes in the small, invasive plant species may help improve disease resistance in rice and wheat.
Protein structures aren’t set in stone
New research on plant enzymes by Professor Patrick Shih and PhD student Albert Liu Study shows that proteins can change their structural arrangement with surprising ease.
Bioengineering better photosynthesis
Krishna Niyogi and Nina Maryn are collaborators on first-of-its-kind research that used improved photosynthesis to increase yields in food crops for the first time ever.
The small alga with a big impact
PMB Professor Sabeeha Merchant breaks down the impact of sequencing the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genome.
Understanding the “romantic journey” of plant reproduction
A breakthrough study by PMB Professor Sheng Luan uncovers how peptide emissions and calcium signals serve as “love notes” during the plant fertilization process.
Can CRISPR help us deal with climate change?
PMB researchers are at the forefront of CRISPR research to help plants thrive in a changing climate and sequester carbon in the soil.