Advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are enabling computers and robotics to take on an increasing number of work-related tasks that previously were the sole domain of humans. This trend raises questions: Which jobs will be most susceptible to replacement by automation? How many workers risk being replaced?...
Soil texture has important ramifications on the shape and size of roots as well as impacting how much water is taken up and the distribution of nutrients in the soil. These factors lead to differences in growth characteristics and plant performance. However, what traits and how the plant responds to...
There is growing evidence that growth with invasive species influences the traits of co-occurring native plants over multiple generations. Some studies indicate that these experienced populations perform better in the presence of the invasive species that led to the trait changes. These experienced populations could serve as source material for...
Understanding how root traits vary within a species and how traits respond to heterogeneous environments, can provide important insight into functional plant attributes that influence plant survival in competitive environments. Selecting plant material with root traits that will support its survival in heterogenous environments may help improve the outcomes of...
Restoration practitioners have many seed material choices when restoring plant communities, and for some species, cultivars may be the most affordable and accessible material available. However, the process of plant selection and commercial seed production can limit trait variability critical to survival and persistence in heterogeneous environments. Several studies have...
Advances in biosensor engineering have enabled the design of programmable molecular systems to detect a range of pathogens, nucleic acids, and chemicals. Here, we engineer and field-test a biosensor for fluoride, a major groundwater contaminant of global concern. The sensor consists of a cell-free system containing a DNA template that...
In many dryland environments, vegetation self-organizes into bands that can be clearly identified in remotely-sensed imagery. The status of individual bands can be tracked over time, allowing for a detailed remote analysis of how human populations affect the vital balance of dryland ecosystems. In this study, we characterize vegetation change...
Recent advances in cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems have enabled their use for a host of synthetic biology applications, particularly for rapid prototyping of genetic circuits and biosensors. Despite the proliferation of cell-free protein synthesis platforms, the large number of currently existing protocols for making CFE extracts muddles the collective...
A longstanding goal of synthetic biology has been the programmable control of cellular functions. Central to this is the creation of versatile regulatory toolsets that allow for programmable control of gene expression. Of the many regulatory molecules available, RNA regulators offer the intriguing possibility of de novo design – allowing...