Hidden mechanisms behind high yields
Wild strawberries are often small, whereas those in the grocery store are large and juicy. This difference is the result of long-term breeding for higher yields. A new research project will now investigate whether such breeding has also influenced the plant’s fundamental machinery for protein synthesis, the ribosome, and whether specific chemical marks in ribosomes may have been a hidden key to efficient growth.
The ribosome functions as the cell’s nanomachine, translating genetic code into proteins. New findings suggest that ribosomes can carry chemical marks that fine-tune their operation in different cell types, and that some cells use this system to meet specific protein synthesis needs. The project will examine whether selected cultivated crops have been selected to exploit this mechanism, and whether it is necessary for desirable traits such as high yield.
New insights for future agriculture
The ambition is to build a solid knowledge base that can be translated into new technology. The work also includes securing relevant intellectual property rights, so the insights can be developed into solutions that enable higher production on less land. This is crucial for more sustainable agriculture and for the protection of natural habitats.
The project brings together expertise across institutions, with Peter Brodersen as project leader at the University of Copenhagen and Eivind Valen from the Department of Biosciences at the University of Oslo as a key participant. Together, the team will map how the ribosome’s chemical signatures influence plant growth programs and assess the importance for modern cultivated crops. The research project has received funding of approximately DKK 4.5 million from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is an independent Danish enterprise foundation that supports philanthropic purposes on a non-profit basis using funds from its ownership and investments. The foundation finances a broad range of projects that promote public health and strengthen sustainability in society and the environment.