Research

Our research focus is on the genetic systems that plants use to move essential metabolites such as amino acids and sugars throughout the plant to enable development from a seed to a seed-bearing plant. We employ bioinformatic analyses of next generation sequencing and molecular biology approaches during stresses in order to pinpoint the key genes players in central metabolite remobilization pathways. We then work to uncover the molecular mechanisms to understand the function of these genes so they can be deployed into the field with the goal of improving global food security.

Nutrient transport occurs during development but is especially important during adaptive events to provide adequate energy and essential compounds for the plants to tailor their responses to the nature of encountered challenges. For example, during a flood, sugars are sent to the rice leaf base to elongate the leave to try to break the water surface to re-acquire oxygen access and resume aerobic respiration.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underpin these processes of outstanding importance to engineer our crops to thrive despite the unprecedented stress challenges from global climate change and the threat of plant pathogens.