Researchers have identified several key compounds that shape the microbial communities dwelling around plant roots and soil, opening up the possibility for agricultural strategies that precisely and sustainably improve plant health and crop yields. One such compound was serotonin, a signaling molecule commonly known for its role in mood regulation, happiness, and overall well-being. In this context, serotonin was found to enhance plant growth and shape microbial communities living around plant roots under nutrient-rich conditions.
Biosciences FY25 LDRD Projects
The projects of 23 Biosciences Area scientists and engineers received funding through the FY25 Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program.
Sequencing the Mysterious Microbes of the San Francisco Estuary
In a new study, Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology (EGSB) Division research scientist Lauren Lui presents the first steps of her ambitious plan to catalogue the complete genomes of the microbial life found in the San Francisco Estuary near the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Using the latest sequencing technology, Lui aims to fill in a missing piece of how this sensitive, critical ecosystem is knit together. Ultimately, her work could help scientists formulate a more predictive understanding of how microbes respond to environmental changes.
Research Team Uncovers a Hidden Carbon Pathway in Photosynthesis
Biosciences researchers collaborated with Kolby Jardine from the Earth and Environmental Sciences Area to help understand a newly identified carbon pathway that operates in photosynthesis.
When Marine Algae Get Sick: How Viruses Shape Microbe Interactions
Researchers in the Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division collaborated on a study to better understand the role of viruses that infect photosynthetic phytoplankton in the marine food web.
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