Science IRL Features Agronomy Research on Plantago

Story by Marcus Mues

October 27, 2023

In the latest video from Science IRL, host Molly Edwards visited the lab of Dr. Cankui Zhang to learn more about their research on Plantago - a weed you'll probably recognize. The research focuses on genetic transformation, which allows scientists to turn genes on and off. PhD candidate Hannah Levengood has devoted a large part of her research to figuring out how to genetically transform Plantago. Utilizing agrobacterium, she can influence the genes that are inserted into Plantago specimens, and study the results. Hannah's work towards this end has been published, and can now be used by any scientist with any gene that they would like to apply to Plantago.

Watch the full video below to see the process from start to finish, and learn more about all the other benefits Plantago has to offer.

Related News

Upinder Kaur, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, works on a robot dog that finds ticks and identifies tick activity.

Using artificial intelligence to understand the natural world

Purdue Agriculture researchers are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and...

student using a tablet in an agricultural field

Purdue Agronomy eLearning Academy Celebrates Ten Years of Serving Agriculture

When agribusiness leaders expressed a need for professional development courses to enhance their...

Behind the Research: Rachel Stevens

Many people are involved in the remarkable range of programs, services and facilities that...

Cliff Johnston looks through a model of a clay molecule

Researchers unveil a groundbreaking clay-based solution to capture carbon dioxide and combat climate change

One of Earth's most common nanomaterials is facilitating breakthroughs in tackling climate...

Anna Paltseva, clinical assistant professor of urban science in the agronomy department, sits outside of a greenhouse, holding her Urban Soils Guide.

Framework to expand engagement in urban areas

Urban soils are essential to building sustainable cities — from supporting green...

Male researcher water collecting data from water tank

Working together to mitigate forever: Managing persistent PFAS in our environment

When Linda Lee received a sample of shellfish from an Alaskan reservation in 2005, she was...