The faculty in the Plant Biology Graduate Group have wide-ranging research interests.
These interests fall into four main specializations. There are over 60 faculty members in the PBGG from more than nine different departments spanning three of UC Davis' four colleges.
An alphabetical list of all faculty members affiliated with the Plant Biology Graduate
Group is on this Web page, or you may view a list of faculty by specialization and
research interests through the drop-down menu.
Chair of Plant Biology:
Kentaro Inoue
Click on a faculty member's name to view his or her full profile.
An asterisk (*) denotes faculty members who are considering taking a student during the 2013 – 14 academic year.
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dmbeckles@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
Lab
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Regulation of carbon allocation in plants and how this changes in response to environmental stress; Starch granule biosynthesis and molecular structure; Postharvest quality of tomato fruit.
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abbennett@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
Lab
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amberry@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Biological nitrogen fixation; root and rhizosphere plant-microbe associations, and applications in agroecology; soil microbial ecology; microbial genomics; tree root architecture; plant nutrition and ecophysiology; microbial deconstruction of cellulosic biomass and microbial biofuels.
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ajbloom@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
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eblumwald@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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rmbostock@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
Lab
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Research and teaching interests are in the general areas of plant pathology and the biochemistry and molecular biology of plant-microbe interactions. I also serve as the Director of the western region of the National Plant Diagnostic Network, a consortium of plant diagnostic laboratories at land grant universities and state departments of agriculture with support from the USDA-NIFA to enhance agricultural biosecurity in the U.S. (see http://www.npdn.org)
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kjbradford@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
Cell and Developmental Biology
Lab
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Seed Biology
My research interests are in all aspects of seed biology, from the genetics, molecular biology and physiology of seed development, dormancy and germination to the production, storage, enhancement and utilization of seeds for agricultural purposes. I also am involved in mathematical modeling of seed germination responses to environmental inputs with applications for seed ecology. My disciplinary expertise is primarily in the hormonal regulation of plant growth and development and plant water relations. I am Director of the Seed Biotechnology Center and am engaged in research, extension and public service relevant to the seed and plant biotechnology industries.
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sbrady@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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Genomics, Developmental Biology, Plant Biology, Systems Biology, Transcriptional Networks
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abbritt@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Genetics of DNA repair and mutagenesis in the higher plant Arabidopsis. How plants repair and/or tolerate DNA damage generated by chemicals, UV light, and gamma radiation. Processes of genetic recombination, in meiotic and mitotic cells. Transcriptional regulation of damage response.
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phbrown@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Plant and Soil Nutrition
Perennial Horticulture. Physiology and biochemistry of plant nutrient uptake, interactions of nutrition with disease resistance and the selection of crops with improved nutrient efficiency. Nutritional requirements of both annual and perennial systems, application technology and development of environmentally sound fertilizer use. Molecular and genetic aspects of nutrient acquisition and tolerance. Nutritional physiology. Boron, Nickel.
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jcallis@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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The ubiquitin pathway is a protein modification pathway, whereby the protein ubiquitin is covalently attached to other proteins. This alters the longevity, activity or localization of the ubiquitinated protein. We are interested in understanding the specificity and regulation of the ubiquitin pathway. We try to understand how proteins are recruited to the ubiquitinating enzymes. There are are large number of ubiquitinating enzymes whose functions are not known. We are taking a reverse genetics approach to understand the function of RING E3 ligases which interact with substrate proteins and catalyze ubiquitin transfer. We also study a ubiquitin-like protein, RUB, for Related to ubiquitin, and are trying to identify RUB-modified proteins in plants. We use a variety of techniques- biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics.
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glcoaker@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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plant microbe interactions
Research in my laboratory includes studies on the mechanisms controlling pathogen evolution and virulence as well as plant resistance signaling cascades. A common thread to the research that is conducted in the laboratory is the use of the Gram-negative bacterium, Pseudomonas syringae, for understanding how disease is caused on susceptible genotypes whereas defense signaling is elicited on resistant plant genotypes.
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lcomai@ucdavis.edu
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Lab
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drcook@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
Environmental and Integrative Biology
Cell and Developmental Biology
Lab
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chcrisosto@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
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Postharvest Fruit Physiologist
The goal of my research program is to gain a better understanding of the orchard and postharvest factors that control fruit flavor and storage quality. I am applying genomic techniques to identify gene(s) responsible for fruit organoleptic characteristics (both desirable and undesirable), and investigating physiological disorders such as chilling injury. We are also using sensory techniques, such as trained panels and “in store” consumer tests, to describe fruit flavor characteristics.
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amdandekar@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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Molecular, biochemical and genomic dissection of tree fruit traits
I am particularly fascinated by the biochemical/physiological manifestation of phenotypic traits. My lab is interested in understanding the relationship between specific traits and genes and is also interested in defining the system by understanding the functional relationships between traits in a genomics and whole plant context. We are also interested in developing technology and tools to enable trait specific diagnostics and to improve protein and/or gene based therapies.
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kdehesh@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Structural, molecular and biochemical analysis of fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes; Regulatory mechanism(s) controlling oxylipin branch pathways; molecular genetics of lipid signaling.
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tmdejong@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
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spdineshkumar@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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Host-pathogen interactions;
Programmed cell death;
Autophagy;
Immune signaling;
Pathogen effector biology;
Protein microarrays;
Genomics and Proteomics
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jadoyle@ucdavis.edu
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Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
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My research deals primarily with the origin and early evolution of angiosperms. My oldest interest is in Cretaceous fossil pollen and leaves and their implications for the evolution, geographic spread, and original ecology of angiosperms. More recently my research has emphasized phylogenetic analyses of relationships between angiosperms and other seed plants and among living primitive angiosperm groups, based on morphological, molecular, and fossil evidence. I have worked on phylogeny, evolution, and biogeography of several living plant groups, especially the tropical family Annonaceae, the largest family of primitive angiosperms. My current main project aims to integrate Early Cretaceous fossils into the predominantly molecular phylogeny of living primitive angiosperms and to evaluate implications of the results for morphological evolution.
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gdrakakaki@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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Our research is focused on endomembrane trafficking in plant cells. A key area is how trafficking pathways control cell wall biosynthesis and polysaccharide deposition. Our group employs multidisciplinary research approaches, including the use of small molecules (chemical genomics), organelle proteomics and genetics.
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jdubcovsky@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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My research is focused on wheat geneticas and wheat improvement
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ajfischer@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Herbicide resistance and weed ecophysiology
My strategic and applied research addresses critical weed challenges to California rice production, such as the evolution of herbicide resistance in major weeds and the recent appearance of weedy forms of rice, which threaten the sustainability of this crop. My program works towards: a) understanding the physiological and biochemical mechanisms endowing herbicide resistance in key weeds of rice and the processes underlying its evolution and spread, b) knowledge on weed biology and the ecophysiology of rice-weed interactions, and c) developing novel weed management concepts for rice. My program integrates a wide range of research activities whereby basic science supports novel concepts for field-level solutions.
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csgasser@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
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Molecular basis of plant development and evolution of development.
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plgepts@ucdavis.edu
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Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
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Crop bioidversity and bean breeding
Since the beginning of agriculture, some 10,000 years ago, humans have molded the diversity of crop plants around them to suit their diverse needs for food and beverage, feed, clothing and other numerous uses. Starting with the process of domestication, crop biodiversity results from the fascinating interactions among humans, plants, and their environment. My research and teaching program is focused on elucidating the evolutionary processes that have shaped evolution of crop plants under cultivation. I focus particularly on Phaseolus beans because they are such an important part of the human diet, especially in developing countries, and provide many health benefits.
Other crops of interest in my lab are additional crops from the Americas such as peppers (Capsicum), wild maize (teosinte), amaranth, and agaves. These provide a comparative dimension to studies of crop evolution because they encompass a wide range of reproductive systems, life histories, and human uses.
On the more applied level, I look at the consequences of our findings for plant breeding. One of my main activities is a participation in the ABC-KT project (i.e., African Bean Consortium, funded by the Kirkhouse Trust), which seeks to develop a marker-assisted selection capability in East African bean breeding programs. I have recently taken over the grain legume breeding program at UC Davis, which focuses on the development of new varieties of lima and common bean and garbanzos for the state of California.
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megilbert@ucdavis.edu
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dggilchrist@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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tmgradziel@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
Lab
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agroover@fs.fed.us
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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My lab studies the developmental biology of forest trees. We also develop molecular genetic and genomic tools for gene discovery and characterization for the model forest trees in the genus Populus.
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jjharada@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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Molecular, genetic, biochemical, and genomic dissection of embryogenesis and seed development in plants.
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slharmer@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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Understanding the molecular basis of circadian rhythms in plants and how these daily rhythms affect plant physiology.
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kinoue@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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Gene Duplications
What is their biological significance? We address this question by comparing properties and functions of two sets of prokaryote-derived homologous proteins in chloroplasts (protein translocation channel Toc75 and its paralog OEP80/Toc75-V; three type I signal peptidases, Plsp1, Plsp2A, Plsp2B).
Organelle Biogenesis - Protein evolution
How did the protein import channel in the organelle envelope evolve from a protein in the outer membrane of an ancestral cyanobacterium? We elucidate the functions and sorting/assembly mechanisms of Toc75 and OEP80/Toc75-V, which are homologous to a family of proteins essential for the viability of Gram-negative bacteria.
Organelle Biogenesis - Development of Membrane System
How do the intraorganellar membrane systems develop? We take three strategies. Strategy 1 is to define the molecular bases underlying thylakoid disruption due to the lack of signal peptide processing. In strategy 2, we elucidate the mechanism by which Plsp1 is sorted to the envelope and thylakoid within a chloroplast. In strategy 3, we attempt to address how citrus fruit peel changes its color from green to orange, then back to green. (dis-assembly and re-assembly of thylakoids).
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mjasien@ucdavis.edu
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Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
Lab
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Population genetics and evolution of agricultural weeds and invasive plants
The Jasieniuk lab studies the population genetics, molecular ecology, and evolution of agricultural weeds and invasive plants. Our research focuses on elucidating the genetic, demographic, and evolutionary processes underlying the introduction, establishment, and spread of weeds and invasive plants, and their adaptation to changing environments, including management practices.
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jjernstedt@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
Lab
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Quantitative Systems Biology
We focus on two major questions using plant natural chemistry as our model system. Plant natural chemistry generates compounds that provide the taste, flavor, color and medicinal activities that people associate with specific plants. However, their primary role appears to be helping the plant cope with its environment by attracting pollinators, repelling attackers and protecting the plant from sunlight. These aspects make these compounds easy to measure and key tools in understanding modern systems biology and genomics.
The first question that we use these chemicals for is to understand how thousands of genes coordinate within a system to control the proper functioning of the system. This involved modern quantitative genomics and tools such as genome wide association mapping and QTL analysis. We are at the forefront of developing network analysis approaches and theory to help with the modern synthesis of the gene-to-phenotype linkage.
The second question we focus on is why plants make these chemicals. They have broad activities and plants make an amazing diversity of chemicals, each potentially with its own function and evolutionary history. We are primarily using the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, to study how its secondary metabolites control interactions with both insects and fungi. As a part of this we are using a mixture of functional genetics, quantitative genetics, plant biology, evolutionary biology and metabolite profiling to develop as in depth and broad a picture as possible. To broaden this picture, we are expanding into rice, tomato, Lycopersicon, and grapes, Vitis.
An additional avenue that we are pursuing is the fact that fungi also make secondary metabolites. For instance, Botrytis cinerea produces a suite of secondary metabolites whose main role appears to be killing plant cells. Thus by studying how Arabidopsis and Botrytis interact, we hope to analyze how organisms can combat each other through metabolism. We are expanding our quantitative systems approaches to study genetic variation in both the host and pathogen of this system simultaneously.
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jmlabavitch@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Plant Cell Wall Research
My colleagues and I focus our research attention on aspects of plant development in which plant cell wall metabolism plays an important role. This includes studies of fruit ripening and the interactions of pathogens and insect pests with plants. In recent years our studies have also included aspects of cell wall disassembly that might be controlled and enhanced in order to optimize the generation of biofuels from crop plant "residues".
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jclagarias@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
Lab
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Molecular Photobiology
Research in my lab focuses on phytochromes, a family of light sensing biliproteins found in plants, photosynthetic bacteria and even nonphotosynthetic eubacteria and fungi, and cyanobacteriochromes, phytochrome-related biliprotein sensors that have proliferated in cyanobacteria. Phytochromes mediate responses mainly to red and far-red light in the environment that are particularly important to shade sensing. Cyanobacteriochromes sense light from the near UV to red region to optimize light energy conversion by the oxygenic photosynthetic apparatus. Our investigations are biochemical in nature focusing on structure-function and evolutionary relationships of these light sensors and the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of their linear tetrapyrrole (bilin) prosthetic groups. The long-term goal of these investigations is to rationally alter the natural responses of plants and cyanobacteria to their light environment for optimum biomass yield and/or light energy conversion.
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bliu@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Lab
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Cell biology of the cytoskeleton and intracellular motility in plant and fungal cells. The dynamics of microtubules and actin microfilaments during plant cell division and cell growth. Roles of kinesin motor proteins in mitosis and cytokinesis. Molecular mechanisms of cytoskeleton-mediated hyphal growth in filamentous fungi. Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa (rice), and Gossypium hirsutum (cotton) as model systems for plant studies, and Aspergillus nidulans as a model for fungal studies.
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wjlucas@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
Lab
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Our lab is interested in the evolution and function of plasmodesmata, the intercellular organelle of the plant kingdom that mediates in both nutrient delivery and cell-to-cell signaling of information macromolecules, including transcription factors and RNA-protein complexes. We are also working on cellular and molecular aspects of virus infection involving transport of infectious RNA/DNA through plasmodesmata, during local infection, and long-distance movement of virus through the phloem for systemic infection within the plant. A major current focus of our lab is the isolation and characterization of the proteins that constitute the supramolecular structure of plasmodesmata.These studies are providing insights into the mechanisms involved in the selective trafficking of proteins/RNA that contribute to supracellular control over plant growth and development.
A second emphasis in the lab involves studies on the role of the plant vascular system, and the phloem in particular, as an information superhighway for the delivery of proteins and ribonucleoprotein complexes involved in regulating developmental events in distantly located tissues and organs.
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jnmaloof@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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Light is essential for plant growth. Perhaps as a consequence, plants have an intricate set of photoreceptors and responses that they use to optimize their development and physiology to suit their light environment. We study the ways in which plants have evolved differences in their light perception and responses that allow them to thrive in different environments. We are interested in both the genetic and molecular basis of variation in light response as well as the adaptive consequences. A combination of molecular and quantitative genetics is used in Arabidopsis, Tomato, and Brassica
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kamcdonald@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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rwmichelmore@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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Genetics and genomics of disease resistance in plants
Please see website for details
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tmmurphy@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Enzymes of DNA repair. Identification of plants in forensic situations.
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dbneale@ucdavis.edu
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Lab
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Genomics, Population Genetics, Landscape Genetic, Complex traits
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sdoneill@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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Plant Reproduction, Development and Biodiversity
Our research focuses on the molecular basis of plant reproductive development and shoot apical meristem development. My laboratory has focused on three major areas: (1) analysis of the role of key homeobox genes, such as ATML1 and WUSHEL, and hormones (auxin) during post-zygotic plant growth and development using the model genetic system Arabidopsis, (2) pollination of flowers and postpollination ovary and fruit development using Phalaenopsis and Vanilla orchids (Orchidaceae), and (3) the photoperiodic control of flowering in the photoperiodic short-day plant, Pharbitis nil, the Japanese morning glory. Currently, we are engaged in multidisciplinary collaborative research on Vanilla planifolia and its Mesoamerican wild crop relatives (Vanilloideae, Orchidaceae) to study flower and fruit development, disease resistance (Fusarium), and critical issues facing small-holder farmers in food insecure and impoverished developing nations. We also maintain a collection of rare and endangered Vanilla species, including Vanilla planifolia wild-crop germplasm collected from the region of its evolutionary origin and related Vanilla species of Mesoamerican and South American origin.
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ktpawu@ucdavis.edu
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Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Carbon and Water Fluxes from Plant Ecosystems
Turbulent transfer of trace gases from plant ecosystems, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor. Modeling plant canopy-atmosphere interactions
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dpotter@ucdavis.edu
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Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
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systematic botany
Plant phylogeny, evolution, and taxonomy, especially diversity and relationships of crop plants and their wild relatives.
ethnobotany
Relationships and interactions between plants and people across cultures, time, and space.
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alpowell@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Lab
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My primary research interest is to understand the roles of enzymes and proteins in developing and ripening fruit. I have three major research topics:
1. Identify functions in green fruit that can improve the resistance of red fruit to pathogens, 2. Determine how Golden 2-like transcription factors regulate chloroplasts in fruit prior to ripening, 3. Characterize proteins and enzymes that modify the plant cell wall during fruit ripening, 4. Develop transgenic rootstocks for grafting to improve scion products. I work primarily with tomato and Arabidopsis but have also worked with strawberry and melons. Our group works with necrotrophic fungal pathogens and transgenic plants to investigate the functions of proteins and enzymes. I have taught an undergraduate lab course on techniques used in research in the plant sciences (BIT 161B) and a course on scientific writing and proposal preparation (BIT/PLB188).
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mrejmanek@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Predicting and quantifying the risk of invasions by plants. Role of spatial aggregation in competition among different plant species. Plant community classification and dynamics. Modeling. Tropical ecology: seed dispersal and regeneration of tropical forests.
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erejmankova@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
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jhrichards@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
Lab
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Plant physiological ecology, Plant mineral nutrition, Stress physiology, Soil-plant interelationships, Plant adaptation to climate
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pcronald@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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abrose@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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The effect of introns on gene expression.
Introns are often dismissed as junk DNA, but they can have huge effects on gene expression through mechanisms that are not yet understood. I am investigating this interesting phenomenon in plants using molecular genetics, and by testing bioinformatic insights generated by Dr. Ian Korf and his group.
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rossibarra@ucdavis.edu
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Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
Lab
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Evolutionary genomics of maize and its wild relatives
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jschmitt@ucdavis.edu
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Plant ecological genomics and evolutionary ecology; mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity, local adaptation and response to environmental change
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kashackel@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
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wksilk@ucdavis.edu
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Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Quantitative Plant Biologist
Interests center on plant-environment interactions, particularly quantitative analyses of growth and development, nutrient cycling,kinematics, biomechanics, best management practices
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nrsinha@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
Lab
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Genetic and molecular analysis of compound leaf development in tomato. Genetic and molecular analysis of epidermal differentiation in corn. Evolution and expression of homeobox genes.
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dastclair@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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sundar@ucdavis.edu
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Cell and Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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For details please see the lab website at
Genetics and molecular biology of plant reproduction. Functional genomics in model plants- Arabidopsis and rice. Bioinformatics of small RNAs. Microbiomes and metagenomics.
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thtai@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
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smtheg@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Cell and Developmental Biology
Lab
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Protein translocation across biological membranes, with a focus on chloroplast membranes. Mechanism of multimeric protein complex assembly. Chloroplast bioenergetics.
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ltian@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Phytonutrient biochemistry and physiology; Biosynthesis, accumulation and function of carotenoids and polyphenols in plants; Targeted improvement of crop phytonutrient composition and content for enhanced nutritional and medicinal values.
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avandeynze@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Plant Breeding
Application of technology to plant breeding in California crops
Pepper genetics
Elucidating the basis of capsaicin synthesis and resistance to phytophthora in pepper.
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awalker@ucdavis.edu
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Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
Environmental and Integrative Biology
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Development of grape rootstocks with resistance to soil-borne pests and development of new disease resistant fruiting cultivars. Current research projects include: development of rapid screens for resistance; determining the inheritance of and mapping resistance to grape pests and pathogens; characterizing the genetic diversity of grape pests; studying the taxonomy and evolution of grape.
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jiyoder@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Environmental and Integrative Biology
Lab
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Molecular genetics of plant-plant interactions
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fnegre@ucdavis.edu
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Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Genomics
Lab
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Plant Volatile Metabolism
Our research focuses on understanding plant volatile metabolism in the context of 1) aroma development in fruits and vegetables, and 2) plant defense mechanisms against pests.
Although much progress has been made in achieving and maintaining good appearance quality of fruits and vegetables, there is a general consensus that flavor quality is "the last frontier". Repeat purchases are often prevented due to consumer’s dissatisfaction with product flavor quality. Flavor, defined as the combined sensation derived from taste and aroma, is a complex trait that is still poorly understood at analytical, biochemical and molecular levels. Our research investigates how volatile compounds (which confer the aroma of fruits and vegetables) are formed during fruit development and ripening, and how postharvest storage conditions affect their production.
Volatiles also serve as the plant’s interface with the environment, and have been shown to play important roles in protecting plants against herbivores or pathogens. Understanding defense-related volatile biosynthesis could open new avenues for harnessing plant natural defenses against pests.
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Click on a faculty member's name to view his or her full profile.