Classes Taught:
• Bio193 General Biology III
• Bio220 Biotechnology
Research Interests:
My research explores how plants control the timing of their life stages, particularly the transition from juvenile to adult vegetative growth and the initiation of reproductive competence. I investigate how tiny molecular switches called microRNAs regulate these critical developmental transitions by controlling specific genes at precise times and locations. Using the model plant Arabidopsis and conducting comparative studies with diverse other species, my lab uncovers the genetic programs that enable plants to adapt to environmental changes and optimize their survival strategies. This fundamental research advances our understanding of plant biology while providing tools for improving agricultural practices, developing stress-resistant crops, and innovating plant biotechnology solutions for sustainable agriculture.
Featured Publications:
Zhao, J., Doody, E., and Poethig, R.S. (2023). Reproductive competence is regulated independently of vegetative phase change in Arabidopsis thaliana. Current Biology 33: 487497.
Zhao J.*, Favero S. D., Qiu J., Roalson H. E., Neff M. M. (2014). Insights into the evolution and diversification of the AT-hook Motif Nuclear localized gene family in land plants. BMC Plant Biology, 14:266 doi:10.1186/s12870-014-0266-7. (*First and corresponding author)
Zhao J., Favero S. D., Peng H. and Neff M. M. (2013). The Arabidopsis thaliana AHL family modulates hypocotyl growth redundantly by interacting with each other via the PPC/DUF296 domain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A., 110:48 E4688-E4697 doi: 10.1073/pnas.1219277110.