Van Andel Institute plant research named among Science Magazine's Top 10 breakthroughs of 2009
By Monica Scott: The Grand Rapids Press
January 13, 2010, 11:42AM
GRAND RAPIDS -- It's another splash of fame for researchers along downtown's Medical Mile: work in plant biology by Van Andel Research Institute scientists has been named by Science magazine as one of the Top 10 breakthroughs of 2009.
Scientific investigators Eric Xu and Karsten Melcher were lead authors on the published report about their lab discovery, which showed how the plant stress hormone, abscisic acid, helps plants survive harsh environmental conditions such as drought. Educators and scientists say the findings could help stem or reverse food shortages globally.
"The task is an invigorating one, providing a powerful reminder of both the enormous scope and continual advance of science," said Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief of Science, in an editorial about the Top 10 breakthroughs selected every December by editors.
Jennifer Fletcher, a professor in the plant and microbial biology department at the University of California, Berkeley, said the finding has major "agricultural implications."
The research could have an important impact on crops, particularly in regions where drought and water are of critical concern.
Xu and Melcher were among seven research institute scientists involved. They worked with specialists at other institutions to validate their findings, including the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at the University of California at Riverside and the National Center for Plant Gene Research in Beijing.
E-mail Monica Scott: mscott@grpress.com
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