Plant cells are totipotent, meaning individual cells have the potential to develop into a full organism, a property unique to the zygote for animals. However, in most species for most cells, plant cells are not spontaneously totipotent, since they must be treated with specific hormone combinations to unlock their totipotency. Species within the Kalanchoe genus is unique as they spontaneously develop foliar embryos that are fully realized plantlets with shoot and root from notches along the edges of leaves. We speculate that the progenitor cells that give rise to these foliar embryos are totipotent, and we are using single cell techniques to identify & characterize them. In addition to being a fundamental process for plant biology, we foresee unlocking totipotency has many biotechnological applications, such as faciliating genetic transformation and the development of synthetic organs of biomanufacturing.

Please share! I'm looking for a postdoc. The position is to lead one of the following projects: 1) regulation of plant specialized metabolism by cell fate, or 2) foliar embryogenesis in the succulent plant Kalanchoe.

Learn more abt projects: cxli233.github.io/cxLi_lab/res...

04.09.2025 14:00 — 👍 88    🔁 110    💬 1    📌 3

We are deeply saddened by the news that Andrew D. Hanson (@adhansonlab.bsky.social) is no longer with us. He was an exceptional scientist, mentor, and leader in multiple fields. He constantly reminded us that over-promising would backfire. Rest in peace, Andrew.

03.09.2025 05:00 — 👍 23    🔁 17    💬 3    📌 1

Icon of three medals

Congratulations to first authors Sara Leite Dias‬, Dr. Ling Chuang, + Shenyu Liu‬! They receive our Best Paper Award for their #plantsci @science.org paper about the discovery of a key enzyme of the biosynthesis of gramine, a toxic alkaloid in barley, with great potential for applications.

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21.07.2025 07:12 — 👍 6    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 2

Any researchers from Denmark interested in collaborating on this Novo Nordisk program on soil health?

CHALLENGE PROGRAMME 2026 – Harnessing biology for climate-resilient and healthy soils

05.05.2025 05:46 — 👍 5    🔁 8    💬 0    📌 0

Laboratory Technician, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences

We're hiring!
🥼 2-year lab technician at UCPH from 01 Aug
🌿 Support our research in plant natural products with relevance in agriculture, nutrition, and medicine.
🧬 Your skills: plant molecular biology and/or tissue culture & transformation
📅 Deadline 18 May 2025
jobportal.ku.dk/administrati...

16.04.2025 13:27 — 👍 4    🔁 5    💬 0    📌 0