Michigan State University’s Plant Research Laboratory has received a $13.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Basic Energy Sciences program, extending federal support for the laboratory’s research through 2029.

The funding will support the Plant Research Laboratory’s work on photosynthesis, the biological process that allows plants, algae and cyanobacteria to convert sunlight into energy. Researchers say a deeper understanding of photosynthesis could lead to advances in crop productivity, stress tolerance, renewable bioenergy and biotechnology.

The Plant Research Laboratory includes nine laboratories and more than 100 personnel focused on understanding how organisms capture, convert and store energy from sunlight. Scientists are studying the molecular systems that allow plants to adapt to changing environmental conditions such as light intensity, temperature and water availability.

Researchers note that most plants convert only 1% to 2% of available sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. Increasing that efficiency could create opportunities to develop more productive crops and improve agricultural sustainability.

The renewed research program is organized around three major areas of study. The first area, assembly, examines how the cellular structures required for photosynthesis are formed, transported and organized. Scientists are using genetics, imaging technologies and bioengineering tools to better understand these processes.

The second area, coordination, focuses on how water, light and other essential components move through photosynthetic systems. Researchers are also investigating conserved proteins whose biological functions remain unclear but are believed to play important roles in plant processes.

The third area, adaptation, explores how photosynthetic organisms respond to oxygen-rich and changing environments. Research in this area includes identifying mechanisms that help plants manage stress, reduce cellular damage and regulate rubisco, the enzyme responsible for converting carbon dioxide into sugars.

The Plant Research Laboratory’s interdisciplinary approach combines experimental biology, computational modeling and field-based measurements. The laboratory’s researchers work across scales, from molecular interactions within cells to whole-plant responses in natural environments.

Established in 1965, the Plant Research Laboratory is now in its 61st year and has become one of Michigan State University’s flagship plant science programs. The laboratory also serves as a training center for emerging scientists. Since 2023, it has supported more than 160 researchers, including undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

The laboratory’s research activity has produced significant scientific output in recent years. Between 2023 and 2026, Plant Research Laboratory researchers authored 148 peer-reviewed publications. During the same period, members submitted 14 patents and invention disclosures aimed at translating fundamental discoveries into practical applications.

The Plant Research Laboratory celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025 and continues to serve as a center for photosynthesis research and scientific collaboration. Current faculty include members of the National Academy as well as fellows of leading scientific organizations in plant biology and related fields.

Source: Michigan State University MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, "Department of Energy Renews 60-Year MSU Partnership"