By Louise Lerner
In a sunlit greenhouse atop a biology building on the campus of the University of Chicago, members of Prof. Chuan He’s laboratory are working to modify plants so that they can yield substantially more food, even under the stress of drought.
As climate change continues, experts say extreme weather and drought will become more common—so adaptations could be critical to produce enough food to feed the world and materials to keep society running.
Years ago, He’s lab made a surprising discovery about the fundamental nature of genetics and RNA. Today, they’re using this breakthrough to develop new ways to encourage plant growth.
To take a deeper dive into the research, we spoke with Chuan He, who is the John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; and Guanqun Wang and Haoxuan Li, postdoctoral researchers working in the He laboratory.