Archive Press Releases

Genome-wide association is a powerful tool to identify the molecular causes of trait diversity within species. In most association studies, genotyping single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) is regarded as sufficient. [more]

Conclusions of a study published in the journal CELL that was led by Stephane Hacquard and Paul Schulze-Lefert at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, Germany. [more]

Scientists identify mechanism that controls leaf growth and shape [more]

The relationship between so-called rhizobia, nitrogen-fixing bacteria that are mostly from the order Rhizobiales, and leguminous plants is one of the best-characterized beneficial plant-microbe interactions in all of nature. [more]

Plant cells silence their flowering genes with the help of a small DNA-binding protein family which also stabilizes telomeres and promotes the expression of photosynthetic genes. A genetic barcodes shows this family what has to be done. These proteins are thus important mediators of epigenetic imprinting and determine cell fate in plants (Nature Genetics, doi: 10.1038/s41588-018-0109-9). [more]

A team of researchers from Germany and the US led by Kenichi Tsuda at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (MPIPZ) in Cologne have now developed a method that can be used to probe the complexity of plant-bacteria interactions. [more]

The epidermal cells of many plant organs resemble the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle helping them withstand the high pressure in their interior [more]

New work from a team of scientists headed by Paul Schulze-Lefert at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne [more]

A small piece of DNA with a large effect on leaf shape [more]

Legume-rhizobia symbiosis influences bacterial community in plant roots [more]

A high-quality genome sequence helps pinpoint the genetic basis for trait diversity.  [more]

Scientists discover how a common garden weed expels its seeds at record speeds. [more]

The success of plant and animal species depends on producing as many offspring as possible. [more]

A few modifications in the genome turn a fungal plant pathogen into a potentially beneficial organism [more]

Similar to the skin of humans millions of microbes are living on the surface of a leaf influencing the health and fitness of the plant. [more]