Skip to main content

Illinois IGB

Steve Long

Stem-specific promoters found for biofuel improvement targeting to stems of plants

September 14, 2021

A team from the University of Illinois has discovered two plant stem-specific expression of genes, the promoters of which could potentially serve as a tool for increasing oil production in energycane, a type of sugarcane with the capability of producing more biomass in harsh conditions, leading to higher oil production for fuels. 


September 14, 2021


Related Articles

Scientists engineer shortcut for photosynthetic glitch, boost crop growth 40%

January 3, 2019

Plants convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis; however, most crops on the planet are plagued by a photosynthetic glitch, and to deal with it, evolved an energy-expensive process called photorespiration that drastically suppresses their yield potential. Today, researchers from the University of Illinois and U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service report in the journal Science that crops engineered with a photorespiratory shortcut are 40 percent more productive in real-world agronomic conditions.


January 3, 2019


Related Articles

Securing tomorrow’s food supply by engaging today’s students

July 29, 2014

Securing tomorrow’s food supply by engaging today’s students

There’s a career path filled with opportunities to improve societal well-being, combat devastating illnesses, and protect the environment, yet it is one that many biology students might not have considered.  Despite increasing world awareness, its identity might be surprising: plant biology research.


July 29, 2014


Related Articles

Subscribe to Steve Long