Abstract:
As sessile organisms, plants must acclimate to their ever-changing environment. They sense their environment through chloroplasts due to alterations in photosynthesis. These changes cause singlet oxygen (1O2) production which initiates cellular changes. To understanding this complex process, I used several genetic models that produce 1O2 under specific light conditions. As these systems produce 1O2 differently, I wanted to know if their signaling pathways share intermediates and responses. Here I show that even though these pathways have unique components, they do share common genetic responses.
Bio:
David is a PhD student in the School of Plant Sciences. He has a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Lawrence Technological University (Michigan). Currently, David performs research in the laboratory of Dr. Jesse Woodson, focusing on how plants handle environmental stresses. Specifically, David examines how plants decide when to recycle the parts of their cells involved in photosynthesis, called chloroplasts. One of his projects he finds particularly interesting is how specific colors of light affect chloroplast quality control. In his free time, David is either playing with his fur babies (his dogs Rory and Snips) or growing numerous houseplants.