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Daphne Preuss Albert D. Lasker Professor in Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Areas of Expertise:
John Easton |
Background:
Preuss and her laboratory team are working to understand how organisms control passing on correct genetic material to their offspring. Preuss has identified two key protein families for genetic control that are on the surface of Arabidopsis pollen and has used them to study the pollen allergy that affects nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population.
Preuss also has used pollen tubes to reveal important roles for gamma-amino butyric acid, or GABA, a common neurotransmitter. In addition, she is interested in the genetics behind rapid evolution and has developed artificial chromosomes in plants. Currently she is using an in vitro assay to examine the way GABA and other small molecules signal.
Preuss studies the genetics of reproduction in Arabidopsis thaliana, a self-pollinating flowering plant that serves as the "fruit fly" of the plant kingdom for its ease of laboratory growth and genetic manipulation.
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News clippings:
Scientists poised to create life CHICAGO TRIBUNE January 25, 2008 Artificial Chromosome Poised to Pump Up GM Crops with Extra Genes Researchers make chromosomes to order Monsanto, local start-up to combine crop efforts "Start-up's work could produce biotech crops with identical traits" |
Press releases:
Transgenics transformed: Maize mini-chromosomes can add stacks of functional genes to plants Chromatin and Monsanto ally to apply gene-stacking technology |
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Chronicle articles:
http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/070201/chromatin.shtml February 1, 2007 Faculty members receive DSPs and named chairs |
Additional materials:
Website |
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