Anna N Stepanova
Assistant Professor of Genetics
PhD, University of Pennsylvania
Postdoctoral, North Carolina State University
Jose M Alonso
Associate Professor of Genetics
PhD, Universitat de Valencia, Spain
Postdoctoral, University of Pennsylvania and The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
General interests
Molecular Genetics of the Ethylene-Auxin Interactions
Our research focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms that underlie ethylene signaling and response in Arabidopsis and on interactions between ethylene and other hormones, developmental programs and environmental factors. By employing a combination of classical molecular genetic, genomic, and cell biology approaches, we are elucidating the ethylene signal transduction cascade, as well as the net of interactions between this pathway and other hormonal and developmental signals. Recently, our lab has found that some of the tissue specificity observed in response to ethylene is due to the local activation of auxin biosynthesis. These findings have opened a new avenue in the study of auxin production in plants and have provided new tools for investigating the role of auxin biosynthesis in ethylene response and plant development in general.
Functional Genomics
Our laboratory is also committed to generating new genetic tools that will facilitate and accelerate gene function characterization. Towards this goal, we are implementing a new recombineering approach that will enable large-scale gene tagging in Arabidopsis, preserving the chromosomal environment of the tagged genes.
Outreach
A new outreach activity targeted at school-age kids (2nd to 5th grade) has been initiated. For the first pilot experiment, a local elementary school with a high ratio of Hispanic students has been approached. In conjunction with the Brier Creek Elementary School ESL teacher Natalia Kipfer, the PIs are developing a set of experimental modules in biology. The basic idea is to use very accessible materials to show how environment affects living organisms, specifically plants. For example, experiments to show how plants respond to different amounts of light, water, and pollutants (salts, detergents, etc.) will be carried out by the students. Importantly, by using Spanish and English both orally and in the small brochures describing the experiments, the PIs not only will provide Hispanic children with an easier path to a science experience, but also allow their parents (that often cannot read English) to reinforce the scientific methodology at home.
Best view on Safari or Firefox
