The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) is proud to be at the forefront of transformative plant research at the University of Toronto — and recent upgrades to our shared growth facilities are expanding what’s possible.

As part of Project Leap, U of T’s ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% by 2027, our plant growth chambers and rooftop greenhouses have undergone a major retrofit, replacing outdated fluorescent and incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient, research-grade LED lighting.

These new LED systems — designed specifically to provide abundant light that stimulates plant photosynthesis— are making a tangible impact in EEB. Our researchers now have access to brighter, more stable light conditions, allowing them to conduct more reproducible and complex experiments than ever before.

Professor Rowan Sage’s lab, for instance, is investigating the evolution of photosynthesis in tropical and subtropical plants that thrive under bright light. Similarly, Assistant Professor Micah Freedman’s work with milkweed plants, which helps track monarch butterfly migration across North and Central America, depends on tightly controlled light and temperature conditions that the new equipment delivers with precision.

These upgrades aren’t just about enhancing research capacity — they also reflect the department’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation. In fact, the retrofit is expected to reduce electricity consumption by 500,000 kilowatt-hours per year, significantly cutting the environmental footprint of plant research on campus.

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology extends its thanks to U of T Facilities & Services, the Project Leap team, and our collaborators in the Department of Cell & Systems Biology for their support in this critical infrastructure upgrade.

Photo credits: Donglin Que

Learn more about Project Leap: https://www.fs.utoronto.ca/news/sustainable-new-lighting-in-growth-facilities/