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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

Association of Applied Biologists @aabiologists.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Our final #ICPR26 award talk is from Tracy Lawson @proftlawson.bsky.social, this year's recipient of the ISPR Innovation award 🏆 Awarded for outstanding achievements to the transfer of photosynthesis research to society 🌎🌱👏👏 @ripeproject.bsky.social

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

Association of Applied Biologists @aabiologists.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

#ICPR26 Plenaries continuing this morning with Lisa Ainsworth, Angad Mehta & Jaideep Mathur Taking us from canopies & future atmospheres to engineering artificial photosynthetic life forms to plastids & dynamic plant stress repsonses 🫘🌱> 🧪 > 🔬 @ibioillinois.bsky.social @ripeproject.bsky.social

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

In a recent study, Ben Haas outlines a new fluorescence assay for studying small regulatory elements called upstream open reading frames (uORFs). Read the full press release here: ripe.illinois.edu/press/press-...

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

In a recent study featured in Plant Physiology, RIPE investigators Julia Walter and Wanne Kromdijk explore the function of the antenna protein CP26. ripe.illinois.edu/press/press-...

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Using controlled genetic approaches, RIPE researchers altered soybean leaf shape and found that narrower leaves can improve how efficiently plants use available light. This work was led by RIPE researchers Bishal Tamang and Lisa Ainsworth. Read about it here: go.illinois.edu/ripenews

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Tracy Lawson's fascination with plants started as a child on an English farm & recently brought the globally recognized expert in plant biology across the pond to Illinois! Tracy talks about her research & what she's looking forward to most in this new feature! bit.ly/4jfguQQ

A woman in a lab coat smiles while taking a measurement of leaves with a device.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

The Microbiologist recently featured Yong-Su Jin’s work to modify bacteria to convert carbon dioxide into useful products by combining algae’s photosynthetic properties with bacteria’s production capabilities, overcoming a costly limitation faced by previous strategies.

bit.ly

Microalgae and bacteria team up to convert CO2 into useful products

Most methods of genetically modifying the bacterium Escherichia coli and other microbes to convert carbon dioxide into useful biological products require additional carbon sources. A new study overcom...

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

Doug Orr @doug-orr.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Excited to share that I'll soon be recruiting a 3 year postdoc to join the lab @lancasterplantbio.bsky.social to work with me on Rubisco biochemistry and engineering. Official advertising details to be released very soon, watch this space! Please spread the word. 😀🌱🧪🥼

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

Kromdijk Lab @plantphys-cam.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

WE’RE HIRING! Funded 3-year postdoc looking at the impact of chilling on maize 🌽 The project will be looking at chilling responses in roots and shoots 🌱❄️ including the role of ABA and photoinhibition. Applications close 28th March. More details below www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/50591/

jobs.cam.ac.uk

Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term) - Job Opportunities - University of Cambridge

Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term) in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

RIPE researchers from @lancasteruni.bsky.social wrote a chapter in the latest volume of Methods in Enzymology, providing a protocol for using radiometric assays to measure Rubisco in plant leaves. Read more about their work here: bit.ly/3XzXW5h

A woman in a lab space works with a pipette. Her arms are under a protective bar and she is surrounded by standard lab equipment.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Our home institute, the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, flipped the script on our communications manager Allie, interviewing her for a recent feature story! Read about her journey in science communications here: bit.ly/3QNvAkk

A brunette woman with glasses and a red shirt smiles at the camera.

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

in silico Plants @insilicoplants.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Connecting detailed photosynthetic kinetics to #crop growth and yield: A coupled #modeling framework 📰 Story: buff.ly/42b5Xki via @Botany.One 🔬 Research: buff.ly/4czuZfm

buff.ly

RIPE team models connection between enzyme activity and yields for the first time

New model connects dynamic enzyme activity of photosynthesis with whole canopy growth and yield for soybean.

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

Prof Ros Gleadow FAA 💙💚 @rgleadow.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Webinar by me for the International Safe Cassava Network hosted by @globalplantgpc.bsky.social www.youtube.com/live/5sSSjHC...

youtube.com

Nutritional quality of cassava in a warming world

YouTube video by The Global Plant Council

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Current & former RIPE team members were invited to share their expertise & provide commentary on a recent @newphyt.bsky.social article. Read Coralie & Yi's article, “Mesophyll conductance and cell wall composition: insights from a meta-analysis across species,” doi.org/10.1111/nph....

A close-up picture of a soybean plant’s leaves.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

This semester, RIPE will be joined by Maria Raza as our science communication intern! Maria will work with our team to share RIPE research news and also participate in mentorship and career preparation experiences. Welcome to the team, Maria! Read more about her here: bit.ly/3XbypiO

A young woman in a white shirt in front of yellow sunflowers.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

We are thrilled to announce RIPE’s new leadership duo! Lisa Ainsworth is our Director & Elizabete Carmo-Silva is our Deputy Director! Both Lisa & Elizabete have been with the project for years & we look forward to what we can accomplish under their guidance. Full announcement here: bit.ly/42UuCtW

Two pictures side-by-side. The left picture is of a woman wearing sunglasses holding a leafy green plant surrounded by green plants tall enough to reach her waist. The photo on the right is a woman in a lab coat sitting slightly behind a plant and an instrument measuring the plant.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

We are looking for a team member to provide maintenance & management of our pool of LiCOR devices at Illinois. Work will take place in lab, greenhouse, & field settings. Additional details can be found here: bit.ly/4hXUGbI Deadline to apply is March 13 at 6pm (CST). @li-corenv.bsky.social

A small, white machine takes a measurement of a green leaf surrounded by other leaves. White text in the bottom right says Join Our Team!

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Science does not move forward without the invaluable contributions of women. Today we celebrate the incredible women on the RIPE team and all of those shaping the future of research. #EveryVoiceInScience @cavycavs.bsky.social @meganlmatthews.bsky.social @lancasteruni.bsky.social

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

The Plant Journal @theplantjournal.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 👩‍🔬 www.un.org/en/observanc... "Let’s help pave a path to STEM careers that women and girls deserve, and our world needs" UN Secretary-General António Guterres 🌿🔬🚀⚛️

un.org

International Day of Women and Girls in Science | United Nations

The purpose of the day is to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

Amanda Cavanagh @cavycavs.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Are you a non-UK scientist interested in working in the UK for a postdoc? A Royal Society Newton Fellowship could be just what you are looking for! We can support applicants interested in working on photosynthetic responses to climate change. Please get in touch! royalsociety.org/grants/newto...

royalsociety.org

Newton International Fellowships | Royal Society

This fellowship is for non-UK scientists who are at an early stage of their research career and wish to conduct research in the UK.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

After decades of impactful & prolific research, Steve Long & Don Ort are retiring from their RIPE leadership roles. bit.ly/4hEKDIA We are honored to have worked under them for the last 12 years & are elated they will continue RIPE work as principal investigators. We wish them all the best!

Two men kneeling on the ground in a field with small plants around them.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Read about the latest in genomics research from our home institute, the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology! There are a couple of RIPE features in this year’s Biomarker, and we can even help you out with page 61! bit.ly/49ALtmQ

The front cover of a magazine showing a cell. The words Biomarker Magazine Volume 18 appear in the middle left of the cover. Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology appears in the bottom right.

A magazine is open to a page with the headline RIPE team models connection between enzyme activity and yields for the first time. Then there is text in the middle of the page and the bottom of the page is a picture of a soybean field at dusk.

A magazine being held open. The left side has a headline that says Improving crop yields and a page of text. The right side of the magazine is a picture of two people kneeling in a field with young plants.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

“The reason we focus on photosynthesis is because we want to try to improve crop production without added inputs and without needing more land,” @kmeacham-hensold.bsky.social in a recent interview with @jtsangwrites.bsky.social for Advanced Science News. Read the full article here: bit.ly/3WsKbEW

bit.ly

Future-proofing potato crops to resist heat waves - Advanced Science News

Crops that can withstand rising temperatures could increase global food security amidst the rising threat of climate change.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

David Hong, RIPE's science communication intern last semester, recently reflected on what he learned as a member of the RIPE team and his internship experience. bit.ly/3PDT9vq Thank you, David, for all your hard work, and best of luck in your future endeavors! @giesbusiness.bsky.social

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

**COMMUNITY FEEDBACK REQUIRED** We're going to run some workshops for early career researchers at a #plantscience meeting later this year. If you're an ECR, what topics would you like to see covered? What would be the most useful things to hear about for you? Reply here... 🧪 🌳 🌱 (please share)

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

The deadline for our RIPE Data Manager position is this Thursday (1/16)! More information about the role can be found here: bit.ly/3VMBuoO All RIPE openings can be found here: ripe.illinois.edu/team/join-ou...

ripe.illinois.edu

Join our Team | RIPE

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

SEBiology @sebiology.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Discover our animal sessions for Antwerp 2025 🐰🙊🐭: www.sebiology.org/events/seb-a... The abstract submission deadline is Midnight (GMT) on Friday 7 March 2025. Submit now: sebiology.org/events/seb-a... Check out our sessions: sebiology.org/events/seb-a...

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

RIPE currently has three openings to join our Illinois team! We are looking for a Data Manager, a Postdoc in the Lawson Lab, and a Science Communication Intern. More information about all of the positions can be found on our website: ripe.illinois.edu/team/join-ou... #plantscijobs

Hands on a keyboard with green lighting over the picture. The words Join Our Team are in the top right corner in bold white copy.

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

SEBiology @sebiology.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

We are delighted to announce that the abstract submission for the #SEBconference Antwerp 2025 is now open. The abstract submission deadline is Midnight (GMT) on Friday 7 March 2025. Submit now: www.sebiology.org/events/seb-a... Check out our sessions: www.sebiology.org/events/seb-a...

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Check out this awesome CRISPR review written by RIPE team member Tonio Chaparro!

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

“His groundbreaking findings have expanded interest in photosynthetic research around the world.” - A quote from the Daily Illini’s feature on our Steve Long as part of their ‘UI’s Most Influential’ series. Read the full story here: bit.ly/400JfsC

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UI’s most influential: Stephen Long, professor in plant biology

**This piece is part of a six-part series profiling each University scientist named to the 2024 Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers list. Installments of the series will be posted weekly.** ...

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Happy New Year from all of us at RIPE! We look forward to collaborating with you in 2025!

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Topping our 2024 Countdown: A RIPE team used CRISPR/Cas9 to alter photosynthesis in rice by changing its upstream DNA. This was the first approach to increase gene expression & downstream photosynthetic activity. Article in Science Advances: buff.ly/4iIGjJF Story: buff.ly/4iIGmVR

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

A “How-to guide” for gas exchange techniques was coauthored by a number of RIPE team members and alums. The review, written for beginner and experienced researchers, was published in Plant, Cell & Environment and comes in at #2 on our 2024 countdown! Review: buff.ly/4iF5GMx

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

#3 in our 2024 countdown is an article from the cover of Plant Biotechnology Journal! Researchers proved in a model crop that an increase in mesophyll conductance could be engineered & that it leads to an increase in photosynthesis! Article: buff.ly/3P4O3YG Story: buff.ly/403oqhe

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Coming in at #4 for 2024, is a Plant, Cell & Environment article showing that reducing chlorophyll levels in seed-filling stages results in higher seed nitrogen without impacting canopy carbon assimilation. Article: buff.ly/4iF5GMx Story: buff.ly/3ZZWMlj

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

We are counting down the top RIPE stories of the year! Starting off at #5 for 2024 is an article published in in silico plants that tied dynamic photosynthetic pathways directly to crop growth for the first time! Journal article: buff.ly/4czuZfm News release: buff.ly/3P4eXAf

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

RIPE is looking for a Data Manager! This entry-level position will work directly with our researchers on all things data. Full responsibilities, qualifications, & how to apply: bit.ly/3VMBuoO Deadline to apply is January 16th! Applications must be submitted through the Illinois job portal.

An open computer displays a spreadsheet of data with one column highlighted in yellow. A hand gestures toward the screen. The words Join Our Team are in the bottom left in white, block letters.

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

Botany One @botany.one · 17/12/2024

Climate-ready crop RIPE team shows increase in food mass through photorespiratory bypass in elevated temperatures 📰 botany.one/2024/12/climate-ready-cr… 🔬 doi.org/nw8r @ripeproject.bsky.social @kmeacham-hensold.bsky.social @cavycavs.bsky.social @sjb287.bsky.social

botany.one

Climate-ready crop

RIPE team shows increase in food mass through photorespiratory bypass in elevated temperatures

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

University of Essex @universityofessex.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Christmas dinners of the future are safe now scientists have created climate-change resistant roast potatoes. The team from the School of Life Sciences and @ripeproject.bsky.social have developed a crop that is more resistant to growth in extreme temperatures. www.essex.ac.uk/news/2024/12...

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

In an invited #TansleyReview, RIPE researchers discuss strategies to increase Rubisco content as part of short- and long-term efforts to meet the growing global food demand. Review: doi.org/10.1111/nph.... News story: bit.ly/3ZUlXFY @newphyt.bsky.social @illinoisresearch.bsky.social

A field of two-foot-tall sorghum plants at sunset. The sky has streaks of pink and blue.

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

RIPE researchers, traveling on behalf of their home institution and our partner @csiro.bsky.social, are in West Africa showcasing their work to improve cowpea production in the region! Read more about their research to protect African cowpea from insect pests here: bit.ly/3DaKTzY

bit.ly

Insect protected cowpeas

We are part of a global project to improve cowpea production in Africa and are making progress towards incorporating ‘built-in’ insect pest protection that could help to reduce food shortages in the r...

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Reposted by Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project

Amanda Cavanagh @cavycavs.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Over 3 pandemic summers @kmeacham-hensold.bsky.social led a fabulous team characterizing a photorespiratory bypass in field-grown potato, giving us more evidence that manipulating PR can enhance crop thermotolerance! Out today : onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/oidcS... @globalchangebio.bsky.social

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Shortcutting Photorespiration Protects Potato Photosynthesis and Tuber Yield Against Heatwave Stress

Over two growing seasons, a chloroplast localized synthetic glycolate metabolic pathway expressed in potato, enhanced tuber biomass. We confirmed that this yield benefit did not come at the cost of t...

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Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project @ripeproject.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

RIPE Director Steve Long was on Friday’s episode of the CBC’s Quirks & Quarks program to talk about his work developing a digital twin of the photosynthetic process & the breakthroughs it has led to. Steve's interview starts at 35:32. bit.ly/41l2ZcJ

A man in a blue shirt kneels in a field with young plants with a clear blue sky in the background.

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