Research TopicsDepartment
of Crop Sciences
Ph.D.
(1996) University of Iowa
Research Topics
Gene network controlling storage processes in Arabidopsis and crop
seeds
Regulation of
plant growth and senescence
Interactions
of fatty acid synthesis and beta-oxidation
Research Interests
My laboratory investigates the gene
network controlling oil and protein deposition in seeds, as well as plant growth
and senescence. We take advantage
of the ease of Arabiodopsis genetics and the completed Arabidopsis genome to
look for genes involved and to expand the research into crop species such as
maize and soybean. In addition, we
are also interested in the biochemistry of lipid metabolism, especially in
interaction of fatty acid synthesis and beta-oxidation.
The balance of these two opposite processes is important in maintaining
the homeostatsis of fatty acids and their derivatives in the cell.
During seed development, storage genes are turned on in response to
developmental signals. Signal transduction and transcription factors that are
known to or potentially regulate storage product deposition in Arabidopsis seeds
have been reported. The biochemical pathways leading to oil and protein
deposition are also known. We are interested in the pathway organization of
regulatory genes, and the integration between the regulatory and the downstream
metabolic pathways. A number of Arabidopsis mutants with altered amount of
nutrient reserves in seeds have been selected in our laboratory and more will be
identified in the near future. Through a combination of molecular, genetic,
genomics, metabolomics studies and mathematical modeling, we would like to
elucidate how genes function as a network, and how developmental signals are
integrated through the network to control downstream storage process. Using
similar approaches and based on the knowledge from Arabidopsis, we will learn
the similarities and the differences of the mechanisms in crop species.
Optimizing storage production in crop species is one goal applicable in
agriculture.
The developmental plasticity allows plants to balance the yield and the
chance to survive according to growth conditions. We have selected Arabidopsis
mutants in which the mechanism is affected. Genetic approach will again be
combined with molecular, genomic, and physiological studies to explore the
underlying regulatory networks. Genes that potentially improve yield will be
tested in crop species in the field.
Besides the above interests, we also study lipid metabolism especially
fatty acid beta-oxidation in plants. Peroxisomal beta-oxidation is known to play
an important role in net fatty acid degradation during the processes of
germination and senescence. Surprisingly, our studies indicated that it is also
required to maintain normal fatty acid synthesis. We are curious to learn
the underlying mechanisms. Molecules mediating the interaction and their targets
will be determined.
Keywords: gene network, genomics, metabolomics, genetics,
molecular biology, seed, senescence, oil, protein, fatty acid
Current Research Funding:
Start up funding