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Bob Franks Appointed Head of Plant and Microbial Biology

Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

Dunaliella saltwater algae

Dec 16, 2019

Salty Algae Leads to Sweet Success

NC State University professor Heike Sederoff started studying saltwater algae more than a decade ago as part of a project to use algae to make biofuel. This research led to a recent paper in the journal Nature and a biofuels patent application. 
Anna Stepanova and Jose Alonso in a room for growing plants.

Nov 8, 2019

New Genetic Engineering Toolset Produces Better-Modified Plants Faster, Easier

NC State researchers share a new set of genetic engineering tools that makes modifying large plant genes faster and easier. This should improve the precision and reliability of the foundation for innovations in pest resistance, yield increases and growing season extensions. 
Photo of two scientists in front of soybean plants

Jul 22, 2019

Soybean Resilience From the Lab and Greenhouse to Farmers’ Fields

New soybean research with roots in the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative aims to protect the crop from climate change. 
underwater photo of a box used to collect Trichoplax

Jun 19, 2019

Deceptively Simple: Minute Marine Animals and Microbial Dark Matter

A team of scientists, including CALS’s Manuel Kleiner, has discovered that tiny marine animals known as Trichoplax live in a sophisticated symbiosis with two types of bacteria. Their study appeared recently in the journal Nature Microbiology. 
Scientist gives a thumbs-up during a visit to Duke's botanical garden.

May 17, 2019

Spotlight: Bean Zhou Studies Plants Across a Great Divide

Asia and America come together in Bean Zhou’s Ph.D. research on kindred plants and their evolution. A recent award will allow him to study at Harvard’s esteemed Arnold Arboretum this summer. 
Woman in protective gear and holding a shovel looks at fire and smoke from a controlled burn.

Feb 18, 2019

Burning Desire: Rejuvenating A Rare Longleaf Pine Ecosystem

NC State scientists work to restore a rare longleaf pine stand for research, education and outreach. Among their first steps: setting fire to the site. 
Two scientists in a laboratory

Feb 12, 2019

Fueling the Future: Elephant Grass as Potential Biofuel Material (And More)

A common perennial grass may hold uncommon promise for research, agriculture and industry – and it may even fuel the future. A team of NC State scientists are exploring the potential of miscanthus. 
Scientist in a lab holding a tray of Arabidopsis

Jan 9, 2019

Major Study Sheds Light on Plant Growth

An international team, including researchers from NC State, identifies the regulators that spur plants to grow larger and more complex once they’ve germinated. The research, published in the journal Nature, has important implications for agriculture. 
Two scientists, female in foreground and male in background.

Nov 13, 2018

Creating Molecular Tools To Impact Plant Growth

NSF CAREER award winner Anna Stepanova is creating molecular tools to turn certain plant genes on and off at will. She also plans to create a new biotechnology class and start an outreach effort for high school students and their science teachers. 
Image of person in the Phytotron, a controlled environment facility

Sep 21, 2018

Bob Franks Appointed Head of Plant and Microbial Biology

Dean Richard Linton has announced a new department head for Plant and Microbial Biology: Robert Franks.