A group of Belgian scientists have recently uncovered a protein complex in certain plants that allows them to regenerate tissue cells unlike ever before. The process takes place when a single dead plant cell releases a signal to the living cells around it and activates the protein complex. The protein will work to regenerate new cells which in turn will replace the dead cells. Not all plants are capable of this, including rice, wheat, corn, bananas, and many others, so the understanding of how this protein complex works is crucial. A better understanding will help scientists to cultivate this protein and use it in plants that are not capable of this regeneration. With the world population constantly on the rise and the never ending demand for more food, this protein could work to make crops produce a higher yield and prevent grafting of crops. The goal is to use the protein to prevent the spread of parasitic plants that could normally kill off a portion of crops and to provide a more stable future for the agricultural industry.
VIB - Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology. "Controlling plant regeneration systems may drive the future of agriculture." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 November 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161102075959.htm>.
Garrett Mulanix
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