Graduate Programs in the Life Sciences

Research Focus

Dr. Hanson?s research focus is on the genome-containing organelles of plants. Reflecting their prokaryotic origins, gene expression in these organelles differs from that of nuclear genes. In particular, organelle genes are often organized in operons that undergo considerable post-transcriptional processing, including RNA editing. The nuclear genome exerts significant control of organelle gene expression through the action of nuclear-encoded proteins targeted to the organelle. Our research goals include identification of the components of the organelle RNA editing apparatus and an RNA/protein complex that suppresses the expression of an abnormal mitochondrial protein. We are also interested in identifying proteins that control the morphology and movement of organelles and their interactions with subcellular compartments. Furthermore, we are interesting in expressing useful proteins in chloroplasts. We are presently designing plants with chloroplast-localized cellulose-digesting enzymes for use in bioenergy production.