Functional Genomics

Using a systems biology approach, we are modeling biochemical pathways and regulatory processes that affect plant function and development. Among the central biochemical pathways in plants, isoprenoid synthesis produces key molecules for cellular function and metabolites of pharmacological interest. Genetic or biochemical disruption of pathway flux triggers changes in gene expression and metabolite end products. We are linking databases to explore the interdependence of biochemical pathway information and regulatory networks. A similar approach is applied to cell cycle regulation, which is the basis for developmental and differentiation processes.

The complete analysis of the chloroplast proteome is at the frontiers of understanding the organelle as a functional system. Exploiting advanced technologies and computing algorithms, we are discovering many novel proteins. Their genetic characterization will provide important new information on chloroplast pathways. The combined knowledge from systems approaches will allow us to model and predict plant functions.

• Targeting intracellular transport combined with efficient uptake and storage significantly increases grain iron and zinc levels in rice
  Wu, Ting-Ying; Gruissem, Wilhelm; Bhullar, Navreet K.
  PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, 17 (1):9-20; 10.1111/pbi.12943 JAN 2019
• A tribute to Lars Hennig (1970-2018) Obituary
  Mozgova, I; Alexandre, C; Steinbach, Y; Derkacheva, M; Schafer, E; Gruissem, W
  JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY, 69 (21):4989-4991; https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ery337 OCT 12 2018
• Accelerated ex situ breeding of GBSS- and PTST1-edited cassava for modified starch
  Simon E. Bull, David Seung, Christelle Chanez, Devang Mehta, Joel‑Elias Kuon, Elisabeth Truernit, Anton Hochmuth, Irene Zurkirchen, Samuel C. Zeeman, Wilhelm Gruissem and Hervé Vanderschuren
  Science Advances, 4 (9): 10.1126/sciadv.aat6086, Washington, DC: AAAS, SEP 2018.  
• Cassava geminivirus agroclones for virus-induced gene silencing in cassava leaves and roots
  Lentz, EM; Kuon, JE; Alder, A; Mangel, N; Zainuddin, IM; McCallum, EJ; Anjanappa, RB; Gruissem, W; Vanderschuren, H
  PLANT METHODS, 14 10.1186/s13007-018-0340-5 AUG 27 2018
• Photoperiodic control of the Arabidopsis proteome reveals a translational coincidence mechanism
  Seaton, DD; Graf, A; Baerenfaller, K; Stitt, M; Millar, AJ; Gruissem, W
  MOLECULAR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY, 14 (3):10.15252/msb.20177962 MAR 2018
• Cassava post-harvest physiological deterioration: From triggers to symptoms
  Zainuddin, Ima M.; Fathoni, Ahmad; Sudarmonowati, Enny; Beeching, John R.; Gruissem, Wilhelm; Vanderschuren, Herve
  POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY, 142 115-123; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2017.09.004 AUG 2018
• Facilitated citrate-dependent iron translocation increases rice endosperm iron and zinc concentrations
  Wu, Ting-Ying; Gruissem, Wilhelm; Bhullar, Navreet K.
  PLANT SCIENCE, 270 13-22; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.02.002 MAY 2018
• Photoperiodic control of the Arabidopsis proteome reveals a translational coincidence mechanism
  Seaton, Daniel D.; Graf, Alexander; Baerenfaller, Katja; Stitt, Mark; Millar, Andrew J.; Gruissem, Wilhelm
  MOLECULAR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY, 14 (3): https://doi.org/10.15252/msb.20177962 MAR 2018
• Single genetic locus improvement of iron, zinc and beta-carotene content in rice grains 
  Singh, Simrat Pal; Gruissem, Wilhelm; Bhullar, Navreet K. 
  SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 7: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-07198-5 JUL 31 2017
• Molecular insights into Cassava brown streak virus susceptibility and resistance by profiling of the early host response 
  Anjanappa, Ravi B.; Mehta, Devang; Okoniewski, Michal J.; et al. 
  MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, 19 (2): 476-489 FEB 2018 Article (Details)
• Alpha-Glucan, Water Dikinase 1 Affects Starch Metabolism and Storage Root Growth in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) 
  Zhou, Wenzhi; He, Shutao; Naconsie, Maliwan; et al. 
  SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 7: 10.1038/s41598-017-10594-6 AUG 29 2017
• Tackling agriculturally relevant diseases in the staple crop cassava (Manihot esculenta) 
  McCallum, Emily J.; Anjanappa, Ravi B.; Gruissem, Wilhelm 
  CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY, 38: 50-58 AUG 2017 Review (Details)

• Pathway functional genomics
• Cell cycle and chromatin
• Biotechnology of crop improvement

• Functional genomics technologies
• Reverse engineering