Roger Beachy, Ph.D.
Member
Research in my laboratory is directed to understanding mechanisms of virus
replication and developing strategies to control gene expression to increase disease
resistance and metabolic processes in transgenic plants.
rnbeachy@danforthcenter.org
Virus replication is regulated by both
host-encoded and virus-encoded genes
and the battle between host and pathogen
determines whether or not disease occurs.
The Beachy lab is engaged in studies to
determine how sites of virus infection are
established, and developing strategies to
control infection and to restrict replication
and spread of tobacco tosaic virus
(TMV), an RNA-containing virus and
rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV), a
pararetrovirus. Knowledge from studies
of gene expression of the latter are used
to develop a chemically controlled gene
Cross sectional images of stems of Arabidopsis thaliana stained to show lignin deposition (red).
switching system to regulate biological
Left: parental plant; Right: stem of genetically enhanced plant with reduced lignin following
process in transgenic plants.
activation of a target gene via a chemical gene switch to control its expression.
Molecular virology and biotechnology: Our previous studies
Gene regulation and biotechnology: Rice transcription
of TMV revealed that replication and local cell-cell spread
activators RF2a and RF2b, and RLP1 (a repressor; work in
of TMV are regulated in part by the capsid protein (CP).
progress) each contain protein domains that bind target DNA
The outcome of these studies suggested a role for the CP in
and control expression of selected genes. As part of ongoing
regulating production of the viral movement protein which in
studies to characterize their role in plant growth, in particular
turn regulates the mobilization of virus replication complexes
development of vascular tissues, we characterized the functional
through the plasmodesmata that interconnect adjacent leaf
domains of each protein and are using the information to develop
cells. We are currently characterizing the proteome(s) of VRCs
a robust system to control gene expression in transgenic plants
that assemble in the presence and absence of MP. These studies
using a gene switching system that uses methoxyfenozide as
include a collaboration with Dr. Howard Berg (Integrated
the activating ligand (described in (Koo et al, The Plant Journal,
Microscopy Facility) to establish ultrastructural characteristics
37:439-448). In ongoing research we are using gene switching
of the VRCs using high resolution transmission electron
to modulate metabolic pathways that control production of
microscopy and tomography.
epidermal waxes, and to regulate production of cellulose and
lignin in plants. With Dr. H. Nonogaki (Oregon State University)
We have established collaborations to develop and test virus
the gene switch system is used to control seed development and
resistance in several crops that serve as important food
germination. If successful these studies will lead to new uses
sources for peoples in Africa and Asia. In a collaboration with
for plant tissues for production of biomass and limit growth
the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid
of future transgenic crops that will be used for non-food/feed
Tropics (ICRISAT; Patencheru, India) we are applying coat
purposes.
protein mediated resistance to develop peanuts with resistance
to tobacco streak virus. In collaboration with the International
Potato Center (CIP; Lima, Peru) and the National Agricultural
Lab Members:
Research Organization (Namulonge, Uganda) we are applying Maria Soto-Aguilar, Ph.D., Research Scientist I
both protein- and RNAi-mediated strategies to control sweet
Shunhong Dai, Ph.D., Assistant Research Member
potato virus disease. This disease is most severe when plants
Kim Rayford, Research Technician I
Brian Kelly, Laboratory Technician II
are doubly infected with sweet potato feathery mottle virus and
Isabel Ordiz, Ph.D., Research Scientist I
sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus. In collaboration with PhilRice
Liping Pei, Laboratory Technician I
(Los Banos, Philippines) and the International Rice Research Joab Tugume, Graduate student
Institute (IRRI; Los Banos, Philippines) we are extending the
Jaemo Yang, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Associate
results of recent studies which revealed that expression of rice
Christine Martinez, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
Leah Mewes, Laboratory Technician I
transcription factors RF2a or RF2b led to resistance to RTBV
Xioaping Wei, Research Associate I
(Dai et al, 2008). In future studies we hope extend the work to
elite breeding materials and tests for resistance in countries Allison Brown, Executive Assistant
where the virus is endemic.
Kathleen Mackey, Administrative Assistant
Recent Publications:
Berg, H. and R.N. Beachy. 2008. Fluorescent Protein Applications in Plants. Methods in Cell Biology, 85:153-177.
Dai, S., X. Wei, A.A. Alfonso, L. Pei, U.G. Duque, Z. Zhang, G.M. Babb, and R. N Beachy. 2008. Transgenic rice plants that over-express
transcription factors RF2a and RF2b. PNAS. 105 (52):21012-21016.
2008 Scientific Report The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center 7
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