Researchers at the University of Chicago are exploring a new approach to improving crop yields and resilience by modifying proteins already found in plants, a development that could eventually have implications for agriculture far beyond the Chicago region.

The research, published July 23 in Nature Genetics and detailed in a University of Chicago research announcement on July 24, found that removing a small section of certain plant proteins helped increase rice yields by roughly 20% to 25% in testing while also improving the plants’ ability to withstand drought and heat.

The findings offer a new direction for scientists working to develop crops that can maintain productivity under increasingly difficult growing conditions. For Chicago, the research also illustrates how the city’s universities can contribute to challenges that extend from local research laboratories to global food systems.

Key Takeaways

• University of Chicago researchers found that modifying sections of plants’ own proteins increased rice yields by about 20% to 25% in tests.
• The modified plants also showed greater resistance to environmental stresses including drought and heat.
• The approach focuses on plant genes rather than introducing a gene from an animal, potentially offering another path for crop development.
• Researchers are studying whether the strategy could be applied to other crops that contain similar genes.
• The work could contribute to broader efforts to improve agricultural resilience as drought and extreme weather challenge food production.

A New Approach Using Plants’ Own Biology

The research builds on earlier work from the laboratory of University of Chicago professor Chuan He. In 2021, the research team found that introducing a gene known as FTO, which is common in animals, could increase crop growth and improve drought tolerance in plants.

The latest study sought a different approach: achieving similar effects using genes already present in plants.

Researchers focused on plant versions of genes known as ALKBH9 and ALKBH10. The team found that removing a section at the end of these proteins, known as the C-terminus, changed how the proteins behaved within plant cells.

When tested in rice, the modified proteins were associated with higher yields and greater resilience to environmental stress. The researchers reported yield increases of approximately 20% to 25% in their tests.

Liudan Jiang, the study’s first author, described the findings as pointing toward a new way to reprogram plant biology to improve agricultural productivity. The team is continuing to investigate exactly how the protein modifications influence plant growth and stress resistance.

Why Drought Resistance Matters for Agriculture

Drought can place significant pressure on agricultural production, particularly when water shortages occur alongside high temperatures. Improving the ability of crops to tolerate those conditions could help farmers maintain yields when growing environments become more challenging.

The University of Chicago researchers’ approach is still being studied, and the findings do not represent an immediately available agricultural product. However, the work provides another potential strategy for researchers seeking to combine higher productivity with greater resilience.

The research also reflects a growing scientific focus on developing crops that can perform under multiple stresses rather than optimizing plants only for ideal growing conditions. That distinction could become increasingly important as agricultural systems face changing environmental conditions.

Potential Implications Beyond Rice

The researchers are now examining whether the method can be applied to other crops. The ALKBH9 and ALKBH10 genes are found across many plant species, raising the possibility that the underlying strategy could have applications beyond rice.

The team has also suggested that the approach could potentially be pursued through base editing, a gene-editing technique that makes targeted changes to existing genetic material. Such a strategy would differ from introducing a foreign gene into a plant, although further research would be needed to determine how the method could be developed and applied in agricultural settings.

The findings therefore represent an early research step rather than a finished solution for drought-resistant agriculture. Additional testing will be necessary to determine whether the benefits observed in research settings can be reproduced across different crops, environments, and agricultural conditions.

Chicago Research With Global Agricultural Implications

The research highlights a broader role for Chicago’s academic institutions in addressing challenges that reach well beyond the region. Although the work is being conducted at the University of Chicago, its potential applications touch on issues affecting farmers, food producers, and communities around the world.

By investigating how plants regulate growth and respond to environmental stress, the researchers are contributing to a wider scientific effort to make agriculture more productive and resilient.

For Chicago, the study also underscores the connection between university research and global challenges. The city’s research institutions are not only centers of academic study but also places where scientists are working on questions involving climate resilience, food production, and the future of agriculture.

The next stage will be determining whether the findings can translate into practical applications across a broader range of crops. If the approach proves effective beyond the initial tests, research that began in Chicago could eventually become part of a larger effort to help agriculture adapt to a more demanding climate.

FAQs

What did University of Chicago researchers discover?

Researchers found that removing a small section of certain plant proteins could increase rice yields by approximately 20% to 25% in tests while also improving resistance to stresses such as drought and heat.

How does the new method work?

The researchers modified plant versions of proteins associated with genes known as ALKBH9 and ALKBH10. Removing a section of these proteins changed their activity within plant cells and was associated with increased growth and stress resistance.

Could the research help develop drought-resistant crops?

The findings could contribute to future efforts to develop crops that are more resilient to drought and other environmental stresses. However, the research is still at an early stage, and additional studies are needed before determining whether the method can be used in agricultural production.

Could the method work on crops other than rice?

Researchers are testing the strategy in other crops. Because similar ALKBH genes appear in many plants, the scientists believe the approach could potentially have broader applications.

Why is this research significant for Chicago?

The research demonstrates how work conducted at a Chicago university can address challenges with global implications. The potential connection between local academic research and agricultural resilience highlights the role of Chicago’s research institutions in tackling issues involving food production and climate-related stress.