While its nature suggested that it destroys its partners, this protein is in fact an aid to the birth of a flower when it is coupled to the LEAFY protein. This was revealed by researchers at our Institute [collaboration] in a new study published in Nature Plants. Scientists already knew that LEAFY, by binding to specific regions of chromosomes, activated the genes responsible for flower bud formation. They also knew that LEAFY does not act alone, but with the help of the UFO protein. With this new work, the scientists now reveal that UFO's role is to allow LEAFY to access new regions of the chromosomes, which neither protein can access alone. Thus coupled, they can activate genes that are essential for the formation of buds, petals or stamens. To achieve these results, the scientists combined plant genetics experiments, bioinformatics analyses, but also used protein imaging by cryo-electron microscopy, allowing them to see these two proteins in action. How the LEAFY-UFO pair acts differently in petunia, gerbera, rice or snapdragon remains to be discovered.