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MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Natural Science
Molecular Plant Sciences

News

Race to defenses: Maize outpaces soybeans in fighting off fungal invasions December 7, 2020 Race to defenses: Maize outpaces soybeans in fighting off fungal invasions

Sudden death syndrome is a devastating disease that afflicts soybean crops, causing annual losses in U.S. soybean yields in excess of $274 million dollars. New Michigan State University research shows that the trick to surviving the disease might be a matter of timing when to mount a defense response.
How a plant cell's skeleton helps fight infection December 4, 2020 How a plant cell's skeleton helps fight infection

A new study from Michigan State University identifies a missing link which controls plant immunity and plants’ ability to maintain their cytoskeleton – the frame that both gives plant cells their shape and that serves as a highway for materials to move inside these cells.
MSU doctoral student Ethan Thibault awarded prestigious NSF fellowship September 11, 2020 MSU doctoral student Ethan Thibault awarded prestigious NSF fellowship

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship is one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive awards for graduate students. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees in fields within NSF’s mission.
MPS researcher receives grant to continue studying pathogen resistance in plants April 24, 2020 MPS researcher receives grant to continue studying pathogen resistance in plants

The grant will fund research examining plant responses to environmental threats and an outreach program designed to educate the general public on plant research.
Third Fascination of Plants Day @ MSU: Arts Go Green increases community reach May 31, 2019 Third Fascination of Plants Day @ MSU: Arts Go Green increases community reach

Over 500 participants experienced the world of plants and algae through family-friendly science and art activities where they learned about plant medicinal benefits and industrial applications and interacted with MSU scientists.
MPS doctoral student Emily Lanier awarded prestigious NSF fellowship May 8, 2019 MPS doctoral student Emily Lanier awarded prestigious NSF fellowship

The program, one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive awards for graduate students, directly supports graduate students in various science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
Explore the Science and Art of Plants at Third Annual Fascination of Plants Day @ MSU: Arts Go Green April 9, 2019 Explore the Science and Art of Plants at Third Annual Fascination of Plants Day @ MSU: Arts Go Green

MSU hosts the third annual Fascination of Plants Day @ MSU. This year, plant sciences meet the arts in a collaboration between MSU plant scientists, the Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, and the East Lansing Art Festival.
MSU students win at 2019 ASPB Midwest Meeting March 28, 2019 MSU students win at 2019 ASPB Midwest Meeting

The American Society of Plant Biologists meeting was a chance to practice presentation skills and meet plant biologists from across the Midwest.
Brandon Rohnke: Advocating for science February 27, 2019 Brandon Rohnke: Advocating for science

Brandon Rohnke, a graduate student in the Montgomery lab, reflects on his recent trip to the U.S. Capitol to meet with the staff of seven legislators.
Harnessing synthetic biology to produce terpenoids, oil in plants February 25, 2019 Harnessing synthetic biology to produce terpenoids, oil in plants

Michigan State University scientists have developed synthetic biology tools to co-produce high-value compounds in plants. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.