Metabolic Engineering
Projects in this research area are related by an overall goal of developing and carrying out rational strategies for improving food crops. Because knowledge of major regulatory mechanisms may reveal new strategies to modify entire metabolic pathways, attention is being directed toward developmental signals that regulate biosynthesis and deposition of the proteins, lipids and starches that affect nutritional quality of seeds. In addition, efforts are underway to understand cross-talk between pathways. For example, nitrogenous signals appear to affect oil biosynthesis, aberrant proteins initiate both an ER-stress response and an increase in accumulation of phospholipids, and alterations in the calcium buffering capacity of the ER results in increased survival of plants under low calcium conditions. Far too little is known about these relationships, however, to design ways of altering specific seed properties in physiologically relevant ways. Thus, faculty in the metabolic engineering group are focusing on both understanding and manipulating basic pathways affecting seed quality.

Molecular Breeding
Research in molecular breeding is focused on integrating genomics techniques into applied crop improvement programs. Genomic technologies permit the analysis of many genes or chromosomal regions from many different populations or lines of crop plants. Molecular breeding uses this genetic information to augment measurements of agriculturally important phenotypes, which are usually controlled by many genes, in order to improve the efficiency of traditional plant breeding.

Crop and Pathogen Genomics
Genomic sciences are leading to an advanced understanding of how genes are expressed in a coordinate fashion that results in the statement of various organismal characteristics or phenotypes. While some of this information is vital to understanding basic strategies for gene statement other studies are more directly applicable for crop improvement. The Genome Research Laboratory provides the technical base to conduct current molecular investigation. This resource combined with the faculty expertise in the Department of Genetics and the Functional Genomics and the Bioinformatics Programs affords students the opportunity to perform molecular analyses on individuals as well as populations. The interests of the training faculty include investigations of the underlying mechanisms of gene statement and gene silencing. These studies lead to improvements in the manipulation of plant and pathogen genotypes by both traditional and engineering strategies. In addition, faculty members are using genomics approaches to elucidate mechanisms that pathogens use in the production of mycotoxins.

Host-Parasite/Pest Interactions
The interface that exists between plants and the pests and pathogens that attack them may reveal novel strategies for developing plants with improved level of resistance to these organisms. A wide range of investigations is underway to elucidate how insects have evolved to recognize certain plant species as hosts and how they respond to the introduction of transgenically introduced resistance genes. Similar studies are underway to show how pathogens (microbes) interact with their hosts to cause disease and evolve in the environment to threaten food safety.

Molecular and Quantitative Genetics
Ongoing projects in this area provide opportunities for students to obtain training in the fundamental aspects of plant and pest/pathogen variation. The Genome Research Laboratory provides the technical base to conduct current molecular investigation. This resource combined with the faculty expertise in the Department of Genetics and the Functional Genomics and the Bioinformatics Programs affords students the opportunity to perform molecular analyses on individuals as well as populations. There are several projects underway that include the application of these tools to maize, Arabidopsis, bacterial, fungal, virus and insect populations that are particular strength of this group. These studies include investigations of the control of flower development as well as the various steps in seed development, maturation and resistance to pests and pathogens and the regulatory circuits controlling secondary metablolism and mycotoxin biosynthesis.

Pathogen/Pest Evolution and Genetics
The response of microbes and insects to various selection pressures is responsible for the phenotypes these organisms display. An understanding of the underlying genetic mechanisms that drive these changes in individuals and populations is a primary interest among the training faculty. Opportunities exist for thesis projects investigating plant interactions with fungi, bacteria, viruses and insects. Additional opportunities exist to investigate the adaptive evolution of bacteria that threaten food safety.