Insight could help develop new crops

Crops that can cope with sudden changes in the weather could be developed, thanks to fresh discoveries about plants. University scientists have studied how tiny algae survive by renewing old or damaged cell proteins. They say their findings could be useful in developing crops suited to climates in which weather changes quickly. Researchers found that the speed at which protein renewal takes place dictates how quickly they can adapt to environmental changes, such as a sudden frost or drought. Rates of renewal. Our findings will be useful in understanding more about how plants are programmed for survival. Sarah Martin Centre for Systems Biology Edinburgh The team found that renewal rates vary between proteins according to their role and their location within cells.