Dr. DANIEL SZYMANSKIProfessorGenetics and Cell Biology of Plant Growth Courtesy Appointment
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PROFESSIONAL FACULTY RESEARCH
Molecular genetics, live cell imaging, biochemistry, computational modeling of plant cell morphogenesis
BIO
My lab provides new knowledge about how plant cells integrate central carbon metabolism with cell signaling and growth control. Research questions are centered on Rac small GTPase-mediated signal transduction. Measurements in the lab span spatial scales, from the dynamic assembly of protein complexes that control vesicle trafficking and the cytoskeleton to the macroscopic assembly of micrometer-sized cortical patches that modulate the cell wall and define the patterns of cell growth. The research grew out of, and uses the model plant Arabidopsis ( http://www.arabidopsis.org/ ) as a workhorse for both molecular genetics and cell biology. However, recent projects also involve both legume and monocot species (maize), and seek to understand how conserved regulatory pathways operate as plants grow and establish beneficial symbiotic relationships during root nodule formation.
Education
Ph.D. University of Illinois, 1995
Awards
2010 Purdue Seeds for Success Award
2009 Purdue Agricultural Research Award
2008 Purdue Discovery Park Research Award
2008 Purdue International Travel Award
2006 Study in a Second Discipline, Purdue University
Other Activities
Society Membership:
Member American Association for the Advancement of Science
Member American Society of Cell Biology
Member American Society of Plant Biology
Editorial Boards:
Frontiers in Plant Cell Biology
Plant Physiology
The Open Plant Science Journal
NSF Peer Review Panels:
2009, 2010 , Molecular and Cellular Biosciences