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BIO

Unlike animals, plants develop throughout the course of their lifetime. Most plant development occurs post-embryonically (after the seed sprouts), and thus is profoundly affected by the conditions of the local environment.  My interests focus on the role of both abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) aspects of the environment and the way in which they impact plant development.  Legume roots have a complex organization, forming lateral roots like other plants, but also forming symbiotic root nodules in response to signals from Rhizobium bacteria in their environment. How does the environment modulate the development of these symbiotic organs? What are the hormone signals that mediate these changes in the environment? 

I am also very curious about the evolutionary origin of these symbiotic root nodules. What were the genetic changes that accompanied the evolution of nodulation?
 
To approach these questions, we use a combination of genetics, physiology, gene expression, imaging and genomics. We work with the legumes Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus and with highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum.

Courses

PBIO 1040 Plant Physiology 

PBIO 295 (cross-listed with MMG) The Making of the Holobiont 

PBIO 295 Plant Symbioses: Evolution of Signaling 

Publications

Area(s) of expertise

• Plant developmental biology
• Plant-microbe-interactions
• Plant physiology