The whole community of GNOBB members feel proud to announce that Dr. Hemayet Ullah from Howard University and Dr. Siva Dakshanamurthy from Georgetown University have

 Dr. Hemayetullah

identified a series of compounds that inhibit function of RACK1A. The RACK1 gene is known to be present in rice, rape, soybean, tobacco, tomato, beech and alfalfa. Because this scaffolding protein is highly conserved across plant species in terms of structure and function, these compounds have potential utility in numerous agricultural species. Furthermore, compounds that inhibit RACK1A may also provide protection against other environmental overstress. The inventors have demonstrated efficacy of these compounds in preventing drought-induced plant deterioration in rice and Arabidopsis. This technology may be capable of providing drought-tolerance in a number of economically important crops for both biofuel and food production.