As global temperatures soar and extreme weather events become more frequent, the urgency of combating climate change grows. At the University of Georgia (UGA), a diverse group of plant geneticists is harnessing the potential of plants to tackle these pressing environmental issues.
Spanning various schools and departments from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, UGA’s plant genetics researchers are pioneering solutions to societal challenges. Some focus on cellular-level studies, others on whole organism approaches, and still more explore how epigenetics shape ecosystems. Their collective goal: to leverage plant biology for climate adaptation.
“We’re scattered across campus,” says Bob Schmitz, UGA Foundation Professor of Plant Sciences. “But we share a common language and a passion for finding solutions.”
Among these researchers is Distinguished Research Professor John Burke, whose fascination with sunflowers has driven his genetics studies since his days collecting wildlife in Minnesota. Burke and his colleagues are investigating how epigenetic changes in plants can reveal insights into adaptation to climate change and ecosystem dynamics.
Schmitz, based in the Department of Genetics, focuses on epigenetic inheritance—how environmental factors influence gene regulation across plant species. His team’s research on DNA methylation patterns has unveiled an “epigenetic clock” that tracks evolutionary divergence in plant populations, crucial for understanding species migration and climate impacts.
Collaboration is key at UGA, where initiatives like the Plant Center and the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture foster interdisciplinary research. This collaborative spirit extends to applied genetics, where researchers like Robin Buell, using comparative genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology, are re-engineering poplar trees for sustainable biofuel production—a project funded by a $15.8M Department of Energy grant.
Wayne Parrott, another leading figure in crop genomics at UGA, predicts a revolutionary leap in biotechnology’s impact on agriculture, with genetically modified crops set to transform farming practices as dramatically as smartphones revolutionized communication.
Meanwhile, Esther van der Knaap’s team focuses on improving tomato traits for taste and quality through genetic research, enhancing market appeal without sacrificing yield.
Looking forward, Guoyu Lu, an AI specialist at UGA, is developing high-throughput phenotyping tools using UAVs and AI algorithms to gather real-time genetic data on crops and forests. These innovations promise to optimize agricultural practices amidst changing climates.
UGA’s commitment to plant genetics and collaboration positions it at the forefront of climate adaptation research. As these scientists push boundaries, their work underscores the crucial role of plant sciences in mitigating the effects of climate change, offering hope for a sustainable future.