![Pictures of the highly cited researchers](/sites/ripe.illinois.edu/files/styles/teaser_feed_image/public/2018-11/Untitled%20design.png?itok=xTu2HNOT)
RIPE researchers rank among world’s most influential
The Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers list for 2018 includes five team members from Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE).
![Steve Long and Don Ort stand in a soybean field.](/sites/ripe.illinois.edu/files/styles/teaser_feed_image/public/2018-11/Long_Ort_soybean%20field_thumbnail.jpg?itok=uKJojPSm)
RIPE project receives additional $13 million to accelerate progress to redesign photosynthesis
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation increases RIPE project investment to complement support from FFAR and DFID to improve yields for farmers worldwide.
![Team stands in greenhouse holding plant.](/sites/ripe.illinois.edu/files/styles/teaser_feed_image/public/2018-09/20180820_H1P1435_tobacco_photosynthesis_V2_0_0.jpg?itok=zpnwQtOj)
Blue-green algae promises to help boost food crop yields
In a breakthrough, RIPE has engineered tiny carbon-capturing engines from blue-green algae into plants to significantly boost crop yields one day.
![Researchers stand in field trials.](/sites/ripe.illinois.edu/files/styles/teaser_feed_image/public/2018-06/H-protein_display.jpg?itok=UC-xLain)
Scientists boost crop production by 47 percent by speeding up photorespiration
RIPE has increased crop production 27 to 47 percent by speeding up a process called photorespiration.
![Cassava seedlings grow in a black seed tray.](/sites/ripe.illinois.edu/files/styles/teaser_feed_image/public/2018-05/Cassava_seedlings_362_220_s_c1_0.jpg?itok=8KYhSBQ-)
Cassava breeding hasn’t improved photosynthesis or yield potential
RIPE found unimproved varieties of cassava photosynthesize better than those selected for improved pest and disease resistance.
![Stoma](/sites/ripe.illinois.edu/files/styles/teaser_feed_image/public/2018-06/RIPE_stomata_%281%29_362_220_s_c1.jpg?itok=h8x1Pa27)
Scientists engineer crops to conserve water, resist drought
As reported in Nature Communications, RIPE has improved how a crop uses water by 25 percent—without compromising yield—by altering the expression of one gene.