Guo, Z., Fujioka, S., Blancaflor, E. B. , Miao, S., Guo, X., & Li, J. (2010). TCP1 modulates brassinosteroid biosynthesis by regulating the expression of the key biosynthetic gene DWARF4 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell, 22 (4), 1161–1173 DOI:10.1105/tpc.109.069203.

Kim, S-C., Chapman, K. D., & Blancaflor, E. B. (2010). Fatty acid amide lipid mediators in plants. Plant Science, 178, 411-419 DOI:10.1016/j.plantsci.2010.02.017.

Srivastava, A. C., Palanichelvam, K., Ma, J., Steele, J., Blancaflor, E. B. , & Tang, Y. (2010). Collection and analysis of expressed sequence tags derived from laser capture microdissected switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L. Alamo) vascular tissues. BioEnergy Research, February 14DOI:10.1007/s12155-010-9080-8.

Rincon-Zachary, M., Teaster, N. D., Sparks, J. A., Valster, A. H., Motes, C. M., & Blancaflor, E. B. (2010). Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-sensitized emission of yellow cameleon 3.60 reveals root zone-specific calcium signatures in Arabidopsis in response to aluminum and other trivalent cations. Plant Physiology, , DOI:10.1104/pp.109.147256.

Kim, S-C., Kang, L., Nagaraj, S., Blancaflor, E. B. , Mysore, K. S., & Chapman, K. D. (2009). Mutations in Arabidopsis fatty acid amide hydrolase reveal that catalytic activity influences growth but not sensitivity to abscisic acid or pathogens. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284 (49), 34065-34074 DOI:10.1074/jbc.M109.059022.

• Regulation of root hair growth and orientation
  Root hairs provide an excellent experimental system for studying directional growth control in plants. This is because root hairs display highly polarized growth and their location along the root surface makes them easily amenable for cell biological and genetic analyses. We currently have a collection of Arabidopsis root hair mutants from a screen of activation tagged lines that have defects in root hair development including root hairs with altered growth direction (i.e. waving and branching phenotypes). Some of these phenotypes are reminiscent of root hairs that have a disrupted cytoskeleton. Our goal is to characterize this unique collection of mutants to gain a better mechanistic understanding of polarity establishment in plants.

• Cellular mechanisms underlying plant gravity responses
  One research goal in our lab is to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying gravitropism in higher plants. The directional growth and subsequent developmental patterns that a plant organ exhibits in response to gravity allows for correct anchorage, nutrient and water acquisition, seedling emergence, and light absorption for photosynthesis. Despite the critical role of gravity on plant survival, the basic mechanisms underlying gravity's effects remain unresolved. Roots have been the focus of our research on gravitropism because they offer the unique advantage in that the site of gravity perception and the site of the response occur in defined, spatially distinct regions. Therefore, the phenomenon of gravitropism not only allows us to learn more about plant sensory mechanisms and cell growth but also allows us to gain insights into plant signaling and long distance transport.

• Lipid dependent regulation of plant development and response to stress
  We are investigating the role of a group of lipid mediators called N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) in plant growth and development. NAE is well characterized in animal systems as part of the endocannabinoid signaling pathway. Although NAEs are endogenous metabolites in plants, little is known about their function in plant physiology. We are working with the laboratory of Dr. Kent Chapman at the University of North Texas and Dr. Kirankumar Mysore on several aspects related to this project. For instance, the dramatic morphological defects induced by NAEs on Arabidopsis roots have allowed us to design strategies toward understanding the cellular and molecular basis of NAE action in plants.

• Fluorescent protein sensors for in vivo plant cell imaging
  To support the research goals of the lab, we have been implementing the use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its variants to observe cytoskeletal/organelle dynamics and for monitoring ion and hormone levels in living plant cells.

Gravitropism-related

• Karl Hasenstein's Lab
  University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Simon Gilroy's Lab
  Penn State University

• John Kiss' Lab
  Miami University, Oxford Ohio

• Roger Hangarter's Lab
  Indiana University

• Gloria Muday's Lab
  Wake Forest University

Cellullar Imaging

• Simon Watkins
  Center for Biologic Imaging
  University of Pittsburgh

• Nina Allen's Lab
  Molecular and Cellular Imaging Facility
  North Carolina State University

• David Ehrhardt
  Plant Cell Imaging
  Stanford University

• The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  Office of Biological and Physical Research
  Grant number NAG 2-1518

• National Science Foundation (NSF)
  Division of Biological Infrastructure
  Grant number DBI-0400580 and DBI-0722635

• Department of Energy (DOE)
  Energy Biosciences Program
  Grant number DE-FG02-05ER15647
  (Co-PI with Dr. Kent Chapman, University of North Texas)

• Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST)
  Plant Science Research Program
  Grant number PSB08-003

• DOE-BioEnergy Science Center (BESC)