As climate change drives more frequent and intense heat waves, plants face growing challenges to survive and remain productive. Researchers at VIB, Ghent University, KU Leuven, and their international collaborators have now uncovered an evolutionary innovation that helps plants cope with high temperatures. Published in Nature Plants, the study uncovers a molecular mechanism that helps plants stay cool under heat stress and could help researchers identify new ways to strengthen crop resilience.

From decoding gene function to tackling cancer and building a sustainable future, VIB researchers are using CRISPR to push the boundaries of life science.

Scientists at VIB and Ghent University have produced the first high-resolution, cell-by-cell map of how tomato roots respond to colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. These ancient fungal partners help plants absorb nutrients from the soil. The study, published in Current Biology, reveals the precise molecular programs that unfold as the symbiosis progresses through different stages, and identifies promising new genetic regulators that could one day be used to engineer more efficient, sustainable crops.

The European Parliament today approved the new regulations on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). “An important milestone for innovation in agriculture and plant science in Europe,” says Jérôme Van Biervliet, Managing Director of VIB. “This confirms that Europe is opting for a future in which science and innovation will effectively contribute to sustainability and food security.” VIB actively contributed for years to the development of the new European rules.

Plants are at the heart of many of today’s scientific and societal challenges, from sustainable food production to climate resilience. For Plant Fascination Day, we want to highlight several outreach initiatives from colleagues at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology who are helping bring plant science closer to the public.