Study on Plant Mechanism Gives New Perspective on Climate Research

A study conducted in Stony Brook University revealed how plants respond and adapt to elevated levels of carbon dioxide (C02) and higher temperatures. The study, which has opened a new perspective in climate research, was led by researcher Qiong A. Liu, who found that elevated C02 and higher temperatures affect the aspect of gene expression that control flowering time and cell reproduction in plants.

Using next generation sequencing in combination with statistical and computational analyses, Liu and her research team provided the first genome-wide profile that shows the increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperatures that will occur within this century can alter the expression of four functional groups of miRNAs. Liu said "These results indicate that under global warming conditions, plant grain and biomass production can be changed through altering the expression of these miRNAs." She added that identification of these miRNAs provides the starting ground to improving plant yields, to meet the upcoming challenges of global warming.

For more details about this study, read the news release available at:
http://commcgi.cc.stonybrook.edu/am2/publish/General_University_News_2/
Planting_a_New_Perspective_on_Climate_Research.shtml?=marquee1