Elison B. Blancaflor, Ph.D. Associate Professor, e-mail: eblancaflor@noble.org   Ph.D. Biology, 1996, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Postdoctoral training, Plant Cell Biology, 1996-1999, Pennsylvania State University Joined the Noble Foundation in 1999 Adjunct faculty appointment:    Center for Plant Lipid Research, University of North Texas

Ph.D. Biology, 1996, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Postdoctoral training, Plant Cell Biology, 1996-1999, Pennsylvania State University
Joined the Noble Foundation in 1999

Research Emphasis: Plant Cell Biology
The primary research goal in our group is to understand how plants respond to environmental signals. We are particularly interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which plants sense changes in their environment and how this information is translated into a developmental or growth response. Within this framework, the major focus has been to understand the phenomenon of gravitropism in plants. The directional growth and subsequent developmental patterns that a plant organ exhibits in response to gravity allow for correct anchorage, nutrient and water acquisition, seedling emergence and light absorption for photosynthesis. Roots have been the focus of the lab’s research on gravitropism because they offer the unique advantage in that the site of gravity perception (the root cap) and the site of the response (the elongation zone) occur in defined, spatially distinct regions. Of particular interest is the involvement of the plant cytoskeleton in gravitropism. The cytoskeleton is a network of filamentous proteins that is involved in a variety of cellular processes including signal transduction, polarity establishment and sensing of environmental stimuli; therefore, it is likely to regulate some aspect of the gravity response.

We are also investigating the involvement of lipids in the regulation of plant development and defense/stress responses. Plant lipids, like their mammalian counterparts, are rapidly emerging not only as structural components of membranes but also as important signaling molecules that modulate plant responses to environmental stimuli. The involvement of lipids in plant cytoskeletal organization is of particular interest, and we have focused our efforts on a group of lipid mediators called N-acylethanolamines (NAEs). In mammalian systems, NAEs play a variety of neurological and physiological roles, but their precise function in plants remains to be elucidated. We are closely collaborating with the group of Dr. Kent Chapman at the Center for Plant Lipid Research, University of North Texas to define the physiological role of these lipid mediators in plants. The research thus far indicates that the formation and degradation of NAE is important in mediating plant responses to the environment and that these fatty acid amides, like their mammalian counterparts, may play a role in plant stress signaling.

To address the above research areas, the primary approach of the lab is cell biology with emphasis on light microscopy of living plant cells (e.g., green fluorescent protein fusions, fluorescent ion indicators and confocal microscopy). These approaches are being complemented with a variety of techniques including biochemistry, genetics, genomics and molecular biology. Our group also provides microscopy support to the Foundation’s scientists, often through formal research collaborations. Relevant to this goal is the continued development and implementation of new bio-imaging methods, upgrading and maintenance of equipment, training and technical support and educational outreach. The Noble Foundation Cellular Imaging Facility is currently equipped with a full range of equipment, including two confocal microscopes (Bio-Rad 1024 and Leica AOBS SP2), a laser capture microdissection system (Zeiss PALM), a ratio-fluorescence imaging system and a variety of research-grade fluorescence microscopes. Funding for the lab’s research activities has been provided by generous internal support from the Noble Foundation and by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE).

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