Research Interests:

1. The actin and microtubule cytoskeletons in plant cells, and how these contribute to the regulation of plant growth and development.
2. The factors (accesory proteins, pH, calcium etc) that are responsible for modulating cytoskeletal organisation in plants.

Teaching Interests:

Plant growth and development
Applications of light microscopy to cell biology

Selected Publications:

Collings, D.A., Asada, T.A., Allen, N.S., and Shibaoka S (1998) Plasma membrane-associated actin in tobacco BY-2 cells: evidence for interaction with micro-tubules. Plant Physiol.118:917-928.

Collings, D.A., Winter, H., Wyatt, S.E., and Allen, N.S. (1998) Growth dynamics and cytoskeleton organization during stem maturation and gravity-induced stem bending in Zea mays L. Planta 207:246-258.

Collings, D.A. and Allen, N.S. (2000) Cortical actin interacts with the plasma membrane and microtubules. In: "Actin: A Dynamic Framework For Multiple Plant Cell Functions." eds Baluska F, Barlow, PW, Staiger CJ & Volkmann D. Kluwer Academic Press. (In press).

Collings, D.A., Zsuppan, G., Allen, N.S. and Blancaflor, E.B. (2000) Demonstration of prominent actin filaments in the root columella. Planta, in press.

Collings, D.A., Carter, C.E., Rink, J.C., Scott, A.C., Wyatt, S.E. and Allen, N.S. (2000) Plant nuclei can contain extensive cytoplasmic grooves and invaginations. Plant Cell, accepted for publication, subject to revisions

Education:

Ph.D. - Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, 1994
B.Sc. - University of Sydney, Sydney NSW Australia, 1989

Contact Details:

Department of Biological Sciences
Purdue University
West Lafayette
IN 47907-1392, USA
Telephone: 1 (765) 494 4945
Fax: 1 (765) 496 n1496
E-mail: collings@bilbo.bio.purdue.edu