Na Wei

Genome evolution at the extreme of angiosperm miniaturization

The paper examines genome evolution in duckweeds, showing that genome size and functional repertoire change independently during miniaturization, with transposable elements driving expansion and functional streamlining occurring through gene family contractions.

Phyllosphere microbes decouple nutrient enrichment from plant productivity

The paper shows that phyllosphere microbiomes decouple nutrient enrichment from plant productivity in duckweed, with biofilm formation and nutrient immobilization reducing productivity despite available nutrients.

Ancient transposable elements sustain global ecological adaptation despite chronically low nucleotide diversity

The paper shows ancient transposable element polymorphisms drive ecological adaptation in Spirodela polyrhiza despite low nucleotide diversity, challenging conventional models of adaptive potential.

Contrasting dynamics of soil fungal functional groups in the plant rhizosphere

The paper tracks changes in soil fungal functional groups over time in urban farming fields, finding contrasting dynamics among pathogens, mycorrhizal fungi, and saprotrophic fungi.

Nanoparticles alter the nature and strength of intraploidy and interploidy interactions in plants

This study investigates how copper oxide nanoparticles affect intraploidy and interploidy interactions in polyploid and diploid Fragaria plants, revealing ploidy-specific changes in competition and facilitation.