Plant Sciences

Our goal is to produce foundational science that supports this mission. Key to this work is our work to understand the principles underlying carbon capture, conversion, and storage in living systems. Towards this goal we are developing the capability to computationally model, predict and optimize these processes in plants (and microorganisms). Finding ways to increase the yield and diversity of desired products produced will contribute towards meeting the needs of an expanding population in a net-zero carbon manner. A second approach, based on genomic science, seeks to fill the knowledge gap that exists between plant genes and their function. The developing bioeconomy will require the cultivation of millions of acres of bioenergy/bioproduct crops. Stress from diseases (biotic stress) and adverse environmental conditions (abiotic stress) can cause yield losses of up to 50% or more. We are focusing on determining the initial interactions between pathogens and plants using unique BNL facilities at the NSLS-II's Laboratory for Biomolecular Structure (LBMS) i.e., cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-focused ion beam technology and NSLS-II beamlines at the molecular level.