KORBAN, Schuyler S.

Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences
Ph.D. (1980) University of Nebraska

   Research Topics

• Developing plant-based subunit vaccines
• Transfer of defense and antifungal genes into plants
• Cloning and characterization of disease resistance genes
• Regulation and expression of fatty acid synthesis genes

   Research Interests  

   My laboratory is involved in a major effort in the transfer of antigenic protein of pathogenic human and animal viruses into plants in order to develop plant- based vaccines against serious human and animal viral diseases.  Transgenic tomato plants expressing antigenic proteins have been developed.  Fruit tissue from selected transgenic plants (showing high levels of expression of the transgene) fed to mice induced high levels of expression of the antigen in mice.  Studies on the induction of an immune response in mice are underway.  This is a collaborative project among three different laboratories.

   We are identifying genes encoding for pathogenesis-related proteins that are involved in the generalized defense response in plants.  In addition, we are using these genes, such as glucanase, chitinase, and ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP)  genes, in constructs and transferring them into economically important crops such as soybean.  We are taking advantage of tissue-specific promoters to target expression of these genes into various organs of a plant.  We are using both particle bombardment and Agrobacterium-mediated transfer for various plant species, including soybean and apple.  Transgenic plants are being analyzed for  gene expression and for enhanced disease resistance against pathogenic fungi attacking these different crops with promising results obtained thus far.

   Finally, a major effort is being conducted on elucidating genes involved in the regulation of the fatty acid synthesis pathway that can modify or regulate oil content and composition in soybean seed.  Both chemical mutagenesis, as well sense and antisense gene technology is being used in this effort.  This is part of a major multidisciplinary project that includes several other  laboratories. 

   Key Words   Recombinant DNA, Introduction of DNA into plant cells, Subunit vaccines, Antigenic proteins, Gene expression systems, Gene regulation, Plant cell and/or tissue culture, Plant pathogen interaction, Fatty acid synthesis

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