Plant Biotechnology Lab

We have had a long interest in the development of trichomes, hair-like cells on the surface of leaves and stems that are mostly unconstrained by the neighbouring cells, making them an excellent system to study the molecular regulation of cell shape. We have collaborated with Isabel Parkin and Margie Gruber to screen their large population of activation-tagged Arabidopsis for alterations in trichome density and form. Additionally, trichome alterations have also turned up in our activation tagged poplar and ethylene research.

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Current research includes:

1.Characterization of trichome mutants from the Arabidopsis and poplar activation-tagged populations

2. Investigating the link between trichome density and form to root and root hair structure.

 

Recent Publications:

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Taheri A, Gao P, Yu M, Cui D, Regan S, Parkin I, Gruber M. (2015). A landscape of hairy and twisted: Hunting for new trichome mutants in the Saskatoon Arabidopsis T-DNA population. Plant Biology. 17:384-394. 4

Plett, J.M., Wilkins, O., Campbell, M.M., Ralph, S.G. and Regan, S. (2010) Endogenous overexpression of Populus MYB186 increases trichome density, improves insect pest resistance, and impacts plant growth. Plant Journal 64:419-432. 8

 Plett, J.M., Mathur, J., and Regan, S. (2009) Ethylene receptor ETR2 controls trichome branching by regulating microtubule assembly in Arabidopsis. Journal of Experimental Botany 60(13) 3923-3933.

Robinson, S.J., Tang, L.H., Brent A. G. Mooney, B.A.G., Clarke, W.E., Links, M.G., Karcz, S., Regan, S., Wu, Y.Y., Gruber, M., Cui D., and Parkin, I.A.P. (2009) An archived activation tagged population of Arabidopsis to facilitate forward genetics approaches. BMC Plant Biology 9(101).

Plett, J.M., Mathur, J., and Regan, S. (2009) Ethylene receptor ETR2 controls trichome branching by regulating microtubule assembly in Arabidopsis. Journal of Experimental Botany 60(13) 3923-3933.