Researchers inject heat-resistant traits into mustard, tobacco plants

In North Carolina, researchers from are studying Pyrococcus furiosus, microorganisms that live n the scalding waters of ocean volcanic vents, in an attempt to develop traits that will allow plants to survive in harsher conditions, opening up non-traditional areas as potential land for biofuel feedstock production.

Research, which was originally started to develop plants that could survive on Mars, has introduced the superoxide reductase enzyme found in P. furiosus into mustard weed and tobacco with the results showing that both plants survived under much higher temperatures.