‘Resurrection Plant' Researcher Receives Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award

The Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award was granted to Professor Jill Farrant, research chair in the molecular physiology of plant desiccation tolerance at the University of Cape Town. Prof. Farrant is famous for her research about "resurrection plants" like the bobbejaanstert (Xerophyta retinervis). According to Prof. Farrant, these plants, which are mostly found in Africa, can lose up to 95 percent of their water content and be in "dead state" for 15 years but will "green up" in one to two days after they are watered.

The grant worth €100,000 will be used by Farrant and colleagues to investigate the genome of resurrection plants which will aid in developing the drought resistance of crops. Oppenheimer Memorial Trust trustee Bobby Godsell said that Farrant is the tenth recipient of the award for high-end research. The results of the study will be used to ensure the food security of the world's increasing population which may rise up to 9.22 billion by 2075, as projected by the United Nations.

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