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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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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