In order to investigate and harness the vast chemical repertoire of plant terpenoid metabolism, a core focus of our research is the efficient identification of terpenoid-metabolic genes, enzymes and pathways. We do this by combining genomics-enabled gene discovery using in-house protein databases, rapid enzyme biochemical characterization through microbial and plant co-expression assays, and de novo identification of novel metabolites using mass spectrometry and NMR approaches. We have identified dozens of functionally distinct TPS and P450 enzymes in a range of different non-model plant species of medicinal potential. We integrate these biochemical insights with in planta terpenoid profiling via GC- and LC-MS analyses, genetic gene function studies using CRISPR/Cas9-enabled pathway alteration, as well as bioactivity analysis to assess the potential of select terpenoid metabolites for agricultural and other biotechnology applications.
Select Project Publications: Zerbe et al. (2013) Plant Physiol. 162, 1073-91 Zerbe & Bohlmann (2015) Trends Biotechnol. 33, 419-28 |
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