Plant Biochemistry and Metabolic Regulation
Professor of Biology & Biochemistry, and
Queen's Research Chair in Plant Biochemistry
Address: Queen's University
Bioscience, Room 3513
Kingston, ON K7L3N6
Telephone: (613) 533-6150
Fax: (613) 533-6617
Email: plaxton@queensu.ca
Website: Click Here
Biography:
Our research focuses on the organization and control of plant carbohydrate metabolism, the biochemical adaptations of phosphate-starved plants, and enzyme control by phosphorylation, monoubiquitination, and glycosylation. This work employs classical and modern biochemical, proteomic, and genetic tools to characterize the molecular and functional properties of key enzyme proteins. Systems that we are currently studying include developing and germinating castor oilseeds, and suspension cell cultures and seedlings of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our results are integrated with a wide range of information on genomics, the control of gene expression, protein structure-function, metabolomics, and whole plant physiology into a framework that leads to a deeper understanding of how plants work in their natural environment. These studies also have significant applications to problems in the ag-biotech industry including the: (1) targeted modification of storage oil versus protein levels in oilseeds such as canola or soybean, and (2) development of phosphate-efficient crops, urgently needed to reduce mankind’s rampant but inefficient use of non-renewable, unsustainable, and polluting phosphate fertilizers.
