Source: GENETIC LITERACY PROJECT, 11/14/18


When temperatures fall below 32 degrees, crops exposed to the elements undergo biochemical changes designed to protect cells from cold stress damage. Scientists identified the genes controlling this phenomena years ago, but have struggled to use the knowledge to engineer cold-resistant crops. A new study from the University of Illinois may provide a novel approach at tackling cold-resistant crop engineering. The study, authored by Dr. Gustavo Caetano-Anolles, went beyond traditional approaches of examining a single gene, protein or biochemical pathway and instead simultaneously examined the entire collection of genes, metabolites, pathways and reactions undertaken in a plant’s cold stress response.

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