Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics

RNA-protein complexes involved in post-transcriptional control of gene expression; chloroplast gene expression.

Research in our lab concentrates on posttranscriptional processes that affect gene expression in the chloroplast. Our research has its primary focus on cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors involved in posttranscriptional control of chloroplast gene expression.

Gradient fractionator, incubators

Plant chloroplasts (tobacco, spinach, Arabidopsis)

5'untranslated regions of all chloroplast mRNAs

• Prevention of starvation by increasing plant tolerance of environmental stress
• Enhancement of biomass through manipulation of chloroplast gene expression

• Biolistic transformation of chloroplasts
• Southern/northern
• Band shift assay
• RNase protection
• β-glucaronidase assays
• RNA toeprinting

Band shift analysis, RNA toeprinting, in vitro transcription, chloroplast transformation