| Plants and green
algae comprise an important, if not indispensable, part of
the biosphere. These organisms share many fundamental properties
with other living things, but are quite unique in other ways,
and research in the department encompasses a wide variety
of topics that reflects this reality. Projects include
molecular genetic analysis of the regulation of seed germination
and other developmental transitions; investigations into
signaling proteins and small molecules that mediate plant
defenses against pathogens; and analysis of embryo development
and cell-fate determination mechanisms, such as asymmetric
cell division. Approaches used in these studies are
also very diverse and include classical biochemical, genetic,
and molecular methods, light, fluorescence and confocal microscopy,
comparative genomics, and bioinformatic analyses.
Miller, Stephen
Analysis of developmental mechanisms in a green alga, Volvox carteri (Chlorophyta) Lu, Hua
Study mechanisms of plant innate immunity Bustos, Mauricio
Our research focuses on the abscisic acid signaling pathway and its importance in plant development and drought resistance. We use the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. |
