Comparative transcriptome analysis of emerging young and mature leaves of

Summary: Plants need to capture carbon from the air to grow and provide us with food, fiber, and fuel. Some plants are super-efficient at this, using a special "C4" process inside a single cell! Scientists studied the leaves of a unique plant called Bienertia to see exactly how it works. They compared young, growing leaves to older, mature leaves. They found that young leaves focus their energy on building cells and structure, while mature leaves focus on making energy from sunlight. By understanding these plant secrets and the genes that control them, scientists hope to upgrade normal plants so they can grow faster and produce more food!