Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of California, Los Angeles received a $941,379 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Emerging Frontiers under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) for collaborative research examining xylem and phloem integration in plants. Running from May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2029, this research initiative will generate fundamental discoveries about how the coordinated anatomy and physiology of leaf carbon and water transport systems determine plant growth, drought resilience, and geographic distribution across a diverse range of herbaceous, shrub, and tree species throughout the United States. The project will combine measurements of xylem and phloem function with mechanistic models operating at multiple scales—leaf, whole plant, and ecosystem—to resolve how these transport systems contribute to overall plant and ecosystem function.

The research will produce unprecedented databases documenting leaf structure, function, and plant drought responses, while also delivering significant public engagement and workforce development outcomes. Products include training for undergraduate students in research methods, data analysis, and scientific writing; collaborative workshops developed with artists that translate research findings into creative public engagement through lectures, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and augmented/virtual reality experiences; and industry outreach to the grape and wine sector highlighting discoveries related to sugar and water transport interactions that influence grapevine stress responses and wine quality.