Research Topics
Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences
Ph.D. (1984) University of Wisconsin, Madison
Research Topics
Research Interests
In vitro production of bioactive phytochemicals from anthocyanin-rich species. Work is in progress to determine the microenvironmental factors which influence maximum biomass accumulation and product expression in vitro. The project is focused on maximizing in vitro synthesis of pigments and medicinally-active phytochemicals via genotype selection, chemical tailoring, and vision-aided bioprocess guidance.
We are also investigating the chemical properties of anthocyanin pigments and precursors in selected, intensely pigmented fruit crops, the potential for scaleup production in vitro, and the enhanced stability and tinctorial strength of these specific, acylated compounds relative to conventional (fruit) anthocyanins. Specific intermediates in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway that have been identified as having anti-carcinogenic properties.
Machine vision/image analysis has been developed as an investigative tool for many areas of research. It has particular advantage as a means to rapidly, non-intrusively quantify in vitro responses that are recalcitrant to conventional measurements.
Key Words Bioengineering, Image Analysis, Pharmaceuticals,
Biosensor Technology, Environmental Biotechnology, Food Bioprocessing,
Natural Products, Plant Cell and/or Tissue Culture
Current Research Funding
NIH-NCCAM, IMBA, NIH Botanical Centers, USDA IFAFS, Industry Consoria