Topic description and stories

Vanishing point

‘Glue’ that makes plant cell walls strong could hold the key to wooden skyscrapers

21 Dec 2016

Molecules 10,000 times narrower than the width of a human hair could hold the key to making possible wooden skyscrapers and more energy-efficient...

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Opinion: Can we save the algae biofuel industry?

10 May 2016

Christian Ridley (Department of Plant Sciences) discusses why algae biofuel has failed to deliver, and what could be done to save this promising...

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Willow trees in bud

Researchers identify first ‘coppicing response’ gene in willow

07 Jan 2014

Scientists have, for the first time, discovered a gene that contributes to the ‘coppicing response’ of willows - the ability to make new growth when...

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Jar of blue-green algae from Wolske Bay, Lake Menomin.

Making the most of algae

02 Sep 2013

The latest research on algal biotechnology is the subject of a major conference taking place today.

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Oil palm plantation

Climate chemistry and the tropics

05 Oct 2012

New models are being developed to predict how changing land use in the tropics could affect future climate, air quality and crop production.

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Plant cells, like these in wheat, are surrounded by thick walls where energy is locked up.

Breeding better grasses for food and fuel

17 Jan 2012

Newly discovered family of genes could help us breed grasses with improved properties for food and fuel.

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Close-up of the moss pots incorporated into a novel table developed at Cambridge University.

The hidden power of moss

22 Sep 2011

Scientists at Cambridge University are exhibiting a prototype table that demonstrates how biological fuel cells can harness energy from plants.

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Flower

Seeding growth: plant sciences

01 May 2010

The study of plants is blossoming in Cambridge, with new facilities, new research and soon a major new institute.

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Simply leaf

Promoting green innovation

01 Feb 2010

A regional knowledge transfer project is linking the region's top plant science research with businesses wanting to develop new products.

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CCI

Cambridge Conservation Initiative

01 May 2009

The Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) is a new and pioneering partnership formed by the University of Cambridge and leading conservation...

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Cellulose in the plant cell wall

Using plants to harvest the Sun’s energy

01 Sep 2007

How can we efficiently unlock the bioenergy stored within plants? Research carried out in the Department of Biochemistry is breaking down the...

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