Department of
Biological Sciences

G. K. Podila

Department Chair

Research area:

Functional Genomics of Plant-microbe interactions, Plant Development, Molecular biology and Biotechnology

Research description:

(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. Most recently, our lab is involved in coordinating the first genome-sequencing project on ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor by Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute.  The L. bicolor genome sequence is now publicly available at JGI web site. Dr. Podila's lab is a member of International Steering committee involved in genome projects of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices and also poplar rust fungus Melampsora.

(2) Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: Our lab is pursuing molecular basis of developmental control of reproductive tissues and vascular tissues using aspen as a model system.  Studies include cloning, characterization, and protein-protein interactions 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 development. 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.

(3) Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics: Our lab is currently collaborating with INRA France, CNRS, Italy, DOE Oak Ridge National labs and Michigan Tech University in developing EST databases 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.

Selected Publications:  

Cseke, L.J., Podila, G.K. 2004. MADS-box Genes in Dioecious Aspen II: A review of MADS-box genes from trees and their potential in forest biotechnology. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants 10: 7-28. (pdf)

P. Lammers, G. A. Tuskan, S. P. DiFazio,  G. K. Podila ,  F. Martin. 2004. Mycorrhizal symbionts of Populus to be sequenced by the United States Department of Energy s Joint Genome Institute. Mycorrhiza 14:63–64. 

G.K. Podila , L. Lanfranco. 2004. Genomics approaches to unravel mycorrhizal symbiosis. In, Plant Surface Microbiology, Springer-Verlag, Germany. Pp 561-592. 

Cseke, L.J.,  Zheng, J., Podila, G.K. 2003. “Characterization of Ptm5 In Aspen: A MADS-Box Gene Expressed During Woody Vascular Development. GENE 318 (2003) 55-67.

Peter M, P-E Courty, A. Kohler, C. Delaruelle, D.  Martin, D. Tagu, P. Frey-Klett, S. Duplessis, M. Chalot, G.K. Podila , F. Martin. 2003. Analysis of expressed sequence tags from the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes Laccaria bicolor and  Pisolithus microcarpus. New Phytologist 159: 117-129. 

Podila, G.K. 2002. Signaling in mycorrhizal symbiosis – elegant mutants lead the way. New Phytologist 154: 541-545.  

Wustman, B.A., E. Oksanen, J.G. Isebrands,  K.S. Pregitzer, G.R. Hendrey, J. Sober, and D. F. Karnosky. G.K.  Podila , 2001. Effects of Elevated CO2 and O3 on Aspen Clones Varying in O3 Sensitivity: Can CO₂ Ameliorate the Harmful Effects of  O₃? Env. Pollution 115: 473-481.  

Noormets A, Sober A, Pell EJ, Dickson RE, Podila GK , Sober J, Isebrands JG, Karnosky DF. 2001. Stomatal and non-stomatal limitation to  photosynthesis in two trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.)  clones exposed to elevated CO2 and/or O3. Plant Cell Environment 24:327-336.  

Akkapeddi, A., Noormets, A., Deo,  B.K., Karnosky, D.F., Podila, G.K. 1999. Gene structure and  expression of aspen cytosolic copper/Zn-superoxide dismutase (PtSodCc1). Plant Science 143: 151-162.  

S.J. Kim, D.  Bernreuther, M. Thumm, Podila, G.K. (1999). LB-AUT7, a novel              symbiosis-regulated gene from an ectomycorrhizal fungus, Laccaria bicolor, is functionally related to vesicular transport and autophagocytosis. Journal of Bacteriology 181: 1963-1967.  

Bills, S.N., Hiremath, S.T., Podila, G.K. 1999. Genetic engineering of an ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor for use as a biological control agent. Mycologia 91: 237-242.  

Tsai, C.J., Mielke, M., Popko, J., Podila,   G.K. , Chiang, V.L. 1998. Red-wood in transgenic aspen expressing  a homologous bi-OMT gene: Evidence for production of cinnamyl  aldehydes and down regulation of CAOMT and CAD. Plant Physiology 117: 101-112.