Stanford Univ. scientists think they may have a solution for plant survival: genetic circuits that can turn the dial on specific genes to control the root growth of plants, paving the way to developing “smart plants” that can respond to climate change.
Climate change is going to put a severe strain on the ability of the world’s plants to survive. Entire ecosystems could collapse with the loss of key plants, and agriculture could implode as we know it. Though over time these plants might evolve and develop more robust traits to beat the heat and survive harsher weather, things may be warming too rapidly for us to simply wait for evolution to take the wheel.
You may have once created a potato battery in school to learn about electrical circuits. Genetic circuits that control the expression of certain genes operate on the same principle, but take place inside the potato itself and at a molecular level. Like an electrical circuit, they require a switch to turn on or off.
These synthetic circuits can only turn on in the presence of these promoters, which means that the desired changes would only affect parts of the plant—not the whole. Dinneny said that this degree of control over their modifications could be a benefit compared to traditional genetic modification used to make GMOs, which affect the entire crop.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
7 Ways to Prevent Tick Bites When Running or Hiking Outside, According to ExpertsPlus, a quick rundown of how ticks even get themselves in the position to bite you.
Read more »
Smart Cameras to Enforce Loud Exhaust Policy in California Starting in 2023Six California cities will take part in the automated enforcement pilot program aimed at curbing noise pollution.
Read more »
CryptoPunk to be split into pieces: Nifty Newsletter, Aug 3–9Axie Infinity to double down on Korea, Redditor turns criticism into tokens, and NFTs don't live on the blockchain. All that and more in our latest Nifty Newsletter.
Read more »
Column: How I've stayed COVID-free — caution, good luck and a smart wifeThe spittle of a sneezing, sniffling guy somehow went through his mask and landed on my forehead. He had la corona. I didn't.
Read more »
How to Create and Deploy an NFT Smart Contract on RSK | HackerNoon
Read more »
3 ways to fight inflation and win the long gameHere are three areas where smart strategies become even smarter when prices are rising.
Read more »