You are here

PMB

The department of Plant and Microbial Biology works to advance knowledge of basic plant and microbial biology. Teaching and research programs in the department cover molecular, biochemical, cellular, developmental, physiological, organismal, ecological, and evolutionary biology of plants, algae and fungi. Here you will find a collection of news, features and opportunities for and about PMB.

Wheelin’ in colored nectar

New grant will allow researchers to better understand the composition of colored plant nectars, with implications for breeding crops and sourcing natural dyes.

Nesocodon mauritianus in bloom with red nectar
Photo credit: Rahul Roy and Clay Carter

Focus on fungi

Two new National Science Foundation grants will allow collaborative teams to disentangle how fungi — dead or alive — move and store carbon in soils.

Oyster mushroom
Photo Credit: Peter Kennedy

Similar to plants vying for the sunniest spot on a window ledge, fungi belowground are competing with each other for nutrients they need to survive. 

Panel Discussion with Phytograds Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

The Phytograds Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee invites you to participate in a panel discussion on the intersection of STEM graduate student power and minoritized status. We will invite three panelists to discuss how race, gender, and disability status affect the realized power grads have in determining the paths of their academic and research careers. We hope all of you will join us for this important conversation.

Philip C. Hamm Plant Sciences Scholarships Available

The Philip C. Hamm Scholarship program recognizes excellence in the plant sciences.  Scholarships of up to $1,000 are available for undergraduate students; scholarships of up to $2,000 are available for graduate students.  Complete details are available at https://www.hammscholarship.umn.edu/.

Applications (undergraduate students) and nominations (graduate students; to be submitted through the Directors of Graduate Studies) are due March 15, 2021.

Tropical dry forest in the spotlight

A special section in Biotropica edited by Jennifer Powers gives a window into one of the most famous research areas in the tropics.

University of Minnesota undergraduates on a field course in Santa Rosa, 2013
University of Minnesota undergraduates on a field course in Santa Rosa, 2013 (photo credit: Jennifer Powers)

Three CBS faculty members named AAAS fellows

2020 AAAS Fellows
Jessica Hellmann, Elizabeth Borer and Nathan Springer were all named 2020 AAAS fellows. 

College of Biological Sciences faculty members Elizabeth Borer, Jessica Hellmann and Nathan Springer are among the five University of Minnesota faculty named 2020 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow.