Speaker: Marna D. Yandeau-Nelson, genetics, development and cell biology associate professor

Title: Building protective barriers: The genetic architecture, regulation and function of the plant cuticle

Abstract: The hydrophobic plant cuticle, produced and secreted by epidermal cells, serves as the primary barrier between the plant and the environment. This protective layer is composed of a cutin polyester matrix embedded with and coated by hydrophobic waxes, such as very-long-chain fatty acids, fatty aldehydes, fatty alcohols, wax esters, hydrocarbons, and ketones.  In maize, the cuticle on silks provides a primary line of defense against environmental stressors (e.g., desiccation, UV radiation, insect damage) during the critical period of pollen reception. To investigate how the cuticle fulfills its diverse protective functions, we employ systems biology, synthetic biology and classical genetics approaches to identify and characterize the genes underlying cuticle biosynthesis and regulation.  We further explore how genotype-by-environment interactions influence cuticle composition. Collectively, this work advances our understanding of the genetic architecture of cuticle formation, the environmental factors that shape its deposition, and the structure-function relationships that define this essential plant barrier.

Host: Yanhai Yin, GDCB chair