Research Interests
My research accomplishments encompass the biochemical, genomic and proteomic aspects of plant cell biology. I an interested in the developmental alterations to plant systems through growth, ripening and induced alterations due to pathogen attack. I have a special interest in the function of these processes in relation to the formation, function, and alteration of the plant cell wall.
I am also interested in the architecture of the plant cell wall and have a particularly strong interest in the biosynthesis of the carbohydrates, which make up the inter-linking, dynamic architectural structure of all plant cell walls.
The cell wall is critical to plant cell growth, differentiation, and response to biotic and abiotic stress. Controlled deposition of primary wall polymers is one of the key factors needed for cell expansion, whereas deposition of secondary wall polymers is a key factor during differentiation. Compared to cellulose, hemicelluloses are more chemically diverse, and they show more tissue- and cell-specific differences, as well as being more dynamic in their turnover and metabolism
The Plant Cell Wall
\The polysaccharide components of plant cell wall components impact human activities in many ways. They are important raw materials in the wood, paper, textile, fuel, and food industries. Hemicelluloses are important during paper production because they bind undesirable lignins. They inhibit conversion of plant cell walls to fermentable sugars for ethanol production. Hemicelluloses are a major food source for many agricultural animals as well as providing beneficial roughage in the diet of humans. Some hemicelluloses, especially those derived from seeds, are important food additives, such as gums and gels. Hemicelluloses affect silage digestibility, the quality of cereal flours, insect resistance, and grain brewing properties. Therefore, a better understanding of the biosynthesis of plant hemicelluloses is the first step toward the development of plants with improved cell wall properties.