My Research Interest

(1) Functional genomics of plant-microbe interactions: Under beneficial interactions, our lab is studying early gene expression resulting from ectomycorrhizal formation, in order to identify genes essential for ectomycorrhizal symbiosis. Our lab is one of the first labs to genetically engineer mycorrhizal fungi for functional genomic studies and also to develop strains of ectomycorrhizal fungi for improving health and growth of trees and as biological control agents. Current Funding USDA-NRI
 
Under pathogenic interactions, our lab recently initiated a project on cloning pathogenecity genes from pathogens such as Septoria species to understand disease development and devise biological control methods through "gene knockout" mechanisms and also to clone R-genes from aspen against Septoria and other pathogens. We have also initiated a project in collaboration with School of forestry at Michigan Tech University on molecular mechanism of how elevated CO2 and O3 may predispose aspen to Melampsora rust. Current Funding: USDA-NRI.
 
Our lab is currently collaborating with NCGR, Santa Fe, Dow Agro, INRA France, University of Helsinki, Finland, and CNRS, Italy in developing EST databases and macroarray and microarray analysis for symbiotic, plant pathogenic and plant stress related differentially expressed genes and to apply these studies for “Systems Biology” approach to understand functioning at organismal level. Current Funding: NSF
 
(2) Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: Our lab is pursuing molecular basis of developmental control of reproductive tissues and vascular tissues (wood formation) using poplar as a model system. Studies include cloning, characterization, and protein-protein interaction of MADS-box family transcription factors that control these processes. We are also pursuing characterization of promoters from these genes that can be used for targeted gene expression in transgenic trees and to regulate woody biomass and reproductive development. For the last 12 years our lab is involved in developing genetically engineered conifers and hardwood trees, through gene stacking techniques for increasing cellulosic biomass for bioenergy. Other ongoing projects in our lab include cloning and characterization of plant defense genes and antioxidant genes from aspen and developing transgenic trees with enhanced Resistance to pests and oxidative stresses and increased carbon sequestration. Current Funding: DOE

Research

Areas

 Functional Genomics

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  Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology