The team of Professor Young-sook Lee (LIFE) found out how a plant can control time for sprouting. The team identified the mechanism of protein carrying abscisic acid that prevents premature germination. Results were published in the international science journal Nature Communications on Sep. 3.
Abscisic acid causes seeds to inhibit germination and promotes a state of dormancy. Prof. Lee determined that 4 proteins are involved in the movement of abscisic acid. She also found that 2 of them perform the role of secreting hormones and 2 of absorbing hormones.
Prof. Lee said that with this knowledge the team could make mutant seeds that could maintain the state of dormancy, using gene inhibiting germination. She also said it could prevent agricultural products from being damaged.