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Non-invasive optogenetic stimulation of distinct stress responses in plants

Nature, Published online: 25 September 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-03085-y

Two ion channels (structures in cell membranes that allow ions to pass through) have been genetically engineered to reveal the stress responses of plants non-invasively. When triggered by light, one channel provoked responses to osmotic stress (caused by water shortage) and the other induced immune responses to biotic stress (such as wounding or a pathogen).