Interdepartmental Genetics Graduate Program - M.S./Ph.D.

Molecular Biology Building

Research focuses on the evolution of gene expression in diploid and allopolyploid species of cotton. Using a novel microarray platform to address the relative contributions made to the cotton trascriptome by unique co-resident genomes in hybrid and allopolyploid species. Wendel Lab.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for heterosis (hybrid vigor) by crossing specific inbred corn lines. Using a corn microarray chip, the gene expression of nearly 14,000 genes was assayed in the hybrid and its inbred parents. Over a thousand genes exhibited differential expression among the genotypes. Schnable Lab.

Understand the molecular interaction between soybean cyst nematodes and their host species. We are working to characterize the signal transduction events leading to successful nematode establishment and parasitism. Baum Lab.

Understanding the mechanism of differentiation in adult hippocampal progenitor cells by doing realtime RT-PCR for the genes that are regulated by ECM (extracellular matrix). Applying these genes in IMAGEtag systems to track stem cells. Marit Nilsen-Hamilton Lab.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind muscular and adipose development by crossing myostatin null mice with m16 obesity mice. Reecy Lab.

Using microarray technology to find differently expressed genes of cattles which have been selected for high marbling score and other phenotypes. Reecy Lab.

Identification and characterization of new populations of the endangered winged mapleleaf, Quadrula fragosa, and developing a microsatellite library to understand the population dynamics and any gene flow. Using techniques of PCR, DNA extraction, sequencing, bacterial transformations, and phylogenetic computer analysis. Serb lab

Understanding repair of DNA Double Strand Breaks (DSBs) induced by Ac/Ds transposon in Arabidopsis. A series of double-reporter systems are developed to gain insights how different DSB repair pathways coordinate, in both somatic and germinal fashion. Such systems also allow investigation of host factors' effect on homologous recombination. Combined knowledge would be then applied in improving gene targeting in Arabidopsis. --Tom Peterson Lab

Using statistics method and biology experiment to analyse yeast transcription and protein interaction network. Try to predict new biology function through biology network. Proulx Lab

My research focus on understanding how an essential transcription activator BES1 regulate different target gene groups in hormone Brassinosteriods (BRs) singal transduction pathway. Genetic suppressor screen based on BES1 gain-of-function mutant background has been performed to identify downstream components in this pathway. Identified suppressors have been cloned and further analyzed for mechanism of interaction with BES1. Yin lab

Identifying and understanding the mechanism behind the anti-inflammatory properties of Echinacea extracts, fractions, and pure constituents. Echinacea treatments are applied to lipopolysaccharide induced mouse macrophage cells and analyzed for prostaglandin E2 inhibition capabilities. Treatments that show anti-inflammatory properties are further analyzed to elucidate the signaling pathways involved in the identified inhibition. Birt Lab

Working to understand the factors involved in yeast Ty5 Retrotransposable element integration. Voytas Lab.

Understanding metabolic changes in transgenic Arabidopsis producing PHB (bioplastic), using metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis. Understanding carbon flux in plants to optimize foreign compound production in plants. Wurtele lab.

Discovering the unique roles of one particular starch synthase(SS), SSIII, in regulating other enzymes of the starch biosynthetic pathway and thereby determining starch granule structure. Identifing proteins physically interacting with SSIII and examing the potential regulation of SSIII activity by 14-3-3 proteins. Myers/James lab.

The goal of my thesis project was to fine-map the gene responsible for dwarfism in Angus cattle. Upon finding the causative mutation in the gene PRKG2, we sought to characterize the molecular mechanisms altered by our mutation in the growth plate. Furthermore, we are using gene expression and protein localization assays to determine how PRKG2 alters global physiology throughout the mini cow. Reecy Lab

Improving maize nutrition through breeding and molecular biology techniques. Specifically improving zien levels using GFP as a marker. Scott Lab

Understanding the mechanism of Sudden Death Syndrome in Soybean, caused by a fungus, Fusarium solani fsp. glycines (Fsg). We have isolted the fsg toxin that causes the disease symptoms and made a monoclonal antibody against it. We are trying to clone the toxin gene from Fsg and also expressing the antibody in soybean plants in an effort to create disease resistence in soybean." Bhattacharyya Lab.

We are trying to better understand acetyl-CoA metabolism in plants. By understanding acetyl-CoA metabolism, we can engineer plants to make desirable fatty acids. Wurtele Lab.

Conducting definitive studies of a non-coding RNA's role in both protein localization and translation using bacterial genetics. A series of point mutations were created in the RNA's gene and introduced into E. coli in a "true complemention" system. Subsequent mutants show a range of phenotypes from non-viable to wildtype and are being further characterized to determine the RNA's role in each critical process. Phillips Lab.