Increasing efficiency in photosynthesis has been one of the desired goals of plant biology. A recent paper in the journal Science presents work by a team led by Stephen Long from the University of Illinois/University of Lancaster. By overexpressing three genes in tobacco, the plants were able to increase carbon assimilation, showing that there are mechanisms to improve the process. We discuss the paper, but also its extensions into food security, climate change and future fuels. Visit Long’s website here and his Gate’s foundation project is here.
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