Arabidopsis normal and sterol deficient (IMAGE) DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory Caption Scientists from Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered a mutation that makes normal Arabidopsis plants (left) deficient in sterol (right). They did extensive genetic and biochemical experiments to establish sterol's essential role in oil droplet formation. Credit Brookhaven National Laboratory Usage Restrictions OK for use with stories about this research. License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.