Scientists Develop Heat-Resilient Potatoes to Combat Global Warming

**A University of Illinois research team has developed genetically engineered potatoes** that are more resilient to heatwaves, showing a 30% increase in tuber mass under high temperatures. This innovation could significantly enhance food security, particularly in regions where global warming is affecting crop yields. The breakthrough involves modifying the plant's photorespiratory pathway, a process that typically reduces photosynthetic efficiency. By incorporating genes for glycolate dehydrogenase and malate synthase, the researchers managed to enhance photosynthesis directly within the chloroplasts, saving energy typically lost to metabolizing toxic by-products. As a result, the modified potatoes not only survived a heatwave during the 2022 field season but thrived, yielding significantly more than control crops. Further multi-location field trials are necessary to validate these findings in diverse environments. However, this development suggests potential benefits for other staple root crops like cassava, providing hope for regions most vulnerable to climate impacts.