Life Sciences Seminar: Genetic Engineering Techniques to Study and Enhance Crop Plant Systemic Acquired Resistance
Life Science Seminar
Genetic Engineering Techniques to Study and Enhance Crop Plant Systemic Acquired Resistance
Benjamin Merritt
Ph.D. Candidate
University of Florida
Abstract:
This seminar will discuss the presenter’s current research projects surrounding plant systemic acquired resistance (SAR) as well as his career path from RIT to UF. The two major projects he will discuss include characterizing crop plant extracellular NAD(P)+ [eNAD(P)] receptors and the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to develop disease resistant tomatoes. Receptors of eNAD(P) were discovered in Arabidopsis and constitute a critical part of the plant’s SAR immune response, yet it is unclear if this pathway is conserved in crop plant species. In tomatoes, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to enhance levels of the master regulator of plant resistance, known as NPR1, to increase resistance to bacterial spot disease
Bio:
Benjamin Merritt is an alumnus of RIT, where he graduated with a BS in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He developed his interest in research early in his career, starting in the summer after his freshman year working with Dr. Michael Savka and continuing with Dr. Michael Coleman for the rest of his time at RIT. He developed an interest in pharmacology and started his PhD for the first time at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, FL. However, he decided on a career change to focus on his real passion, plants. After receiving an MA from Scripps, he worked at University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center for 3 years, where his collaborator, Dr. Zhonglin Mou, became his current PhD advisor at UF. He currently works on studying components of crop plant systemic acquired resistance to develop disease resistant plants through genetic engineering.
Intended Audience:
All are Welcome!
To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu
Event Snapshot
When and Where
Who
This is an RIT Only Event
Interpreter Requested?
No