Plant vascular tissues play essential roles in plant growth and development and allow plant species to adapt to various environments since they evolved 450 Mya. Xylem, the major component of vascular tissue, forms the majority of plant biomass on earth and holds the potential for environment-friendly bioenergy and biofuel production. The long-term goal of my research is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms in regulating plant vascular development and xylem differentiation. Plant vascular tissues are composed of xylem, phloem, and intervening vascular stem cells (AKA procambium or cambium). Vascular stem cells produce progeny cells, which either maintain their stem cell property or differentiate into xylem toward the center and phloem toward the periphery of plant stems. We have identified regulatory pathways and transcription factors (TFs) in vascular patterning and stem cell maintenance. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms of these regulators will provide new insights into plant stem cell maintenance. Xylem tissues develop secondary cell walls (SCWs) and form the majority of terrestrial cellulosic biomass. Our research focuses on the regulation of the coordinated biosynthesis of three cell wall components, e.g., cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. We have elucidated the functions of microRNAs, class III HD-ZIP TFs, NAC and WRKY domain TFs in SCW development. Genetic, biochemical, and genomic approaches are used in the lab to decipher the regulatory mechanisms of biological pathways.

Currently accepting graduate students.

Courses

SPSS 3210: Molecular Laboratory Technology (3 credits). Fall 2012-present, even years

SPSS 3230: Biotechnology – Science, Application, Impact, Perception (3 credits). Fall 2011-2017, Fall 2018-present, odd years

SPSS 4210: Plant Physiology: How Plants Work (3 credits). Spring 2017-present