Dean DellaPenna Research Program:

Biochemical Genomics and Genetics in the 21st Century

We are in the midst of a golden period for research into plant metabolism. The ongoing development and integration of various omics-technologies with established biochemical, molecular and genetic approaches have created a "perfect storm" in which we can computationally, genetically and biologically dissect metabolism between organisms, genomes and across evolutionary time. Historically, the most recent comparable period of advancement was during the 1960’s and 70’s, when radiolabel allowed the pathways for much of plant metabolism as we now know it to be proposed. It is quite clear we are experiencing an analogous period of incredible advancement in our fundamental understanding of plant metabolism at the individual gene, system and genome levels.

Since the early 1990s my research has embraced integrating ‘omics technologies with molecular genetics and analytical chemistry in model systems to target previously recalcitrant areas at the interface of basic plant biochemistry and human health. One major goal is to develop the fundamental knowledge base necessary to balance the levels of essential micronutrients in plant-based diets. Past and ongoing research areas centering on dietary micronutrients in plants include the synthesis and function of tocopherols and carotenoids, more recently, B-vitamins and essential amino acids and genome level studies of natural variation for these traits in seed by genome wide association mapping in maize and Arabidopsis. Finally, a recent collaborative effort has been the development of community resources for the transcriptomes and metabolomes for fourteen medicinal plant species. As with our work in model organisms, these resources have the potential to open previously unapproachable areas of plant biochemistry with profound potential for impacting human health. In addition to my contributions to basic science, my research provide me a platform to educate and influence my peers, the public and policymakers on the need and potential for basic research at the interface of plant biochemistry and human health.   MORE

Selected Publications

Giddings LA, Liscombe DK, Hamilton JP, Childs KL, DellaPenna D, Buell CR, O'Connor SE: A stereoselective hydroxylation step of alkaloid biosynthesis by a unique cytochrome P450 in Catharanthus roseus. J. Biol. Chem. (MAY 13 2011) 286 16751-16757. Link to publication

Mène-Saffrané L, Jones AD, DellaPenna D. (2010) Plastochromanol-8 and tocopherols are essential lipid-soluble antioxidants during seed desiccation and quiescence in Arabidopsis Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 107:17815-20. Link to publication

Yan J, Bermudez Kandianis C, Harjes CE, Bai L, Kim EH, Yang X, Skinner DJ, Fu Z, Mitchell S, Li Q, Salas Fernandez MG, Zaharieva M, Babu R, Fu Y, Palacios N, Li J, DellaPenna D, Brutnell T, Buckler ES, Warburton EL, Rocheford T. (2010) Rare Genetic Variation at Zea mays crtRB1 Increases β-carotene in Maize Grain Nature Genetics 42:322-7. Link to publication

Song W, Maeda H, DellaPenna D (2010) Mutations of the ER to plastid lipid transporters (TGD1, 2, 3 and 4) and the ER oleate desaturase (FAD2) suppress the low temperature-induced phenotype of the tocopherol deficient Arabidopsis vte2 mutant. The Plant Journal 62:1004-18. Link to publication

Mehrshahi P, Gonzalez-Jorge S, Akhtar TA, Ward JL, Santoyo-Castelazo A, Marcus SE, Lara-Núñez A, Ravanel S, Hawkins ND, Beale HD, Barrett DA, Knox JP, Gregory III JF, Hanson AD, Bennett MJ and DellaPenna D. (2010) Functional analysis of folate polyglutamylation and its essential role in plant metabolism and development. The Plant Journal. 64:267-279. Link to publication

Mène-Saffrané L and DellaPenna D. (2010) Biosynthesis, Regulation and Functions of Tocochromanols in Plants. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 8:301-9. Link to publication

Ohlrogge J, Allen D, Berguson B, DellaPenna D, Shachar-Hill Y, Stymne S (2009) Driving on Biomass. Science 324:1019-1020. Link to publication

Bai L, Kim EH, DellaPenna D, Brutnell TP (2009) Novel lycopene epsilon cyclase activities in maize revealed through perturbation of carotenoid biosynthesis. The Plant Journal 59:588-99. Link to publication

Kim J, Smith JJ, Tian L, DellaPenna D (2009) The evolution and function of carotenoid hydroxylases in Arabidopsis. Plant and Cell Physiology 50:463-479. Link to publication

Kobayashi, N and DellaPenna D (2008) Tocopherol metabolism, oxidation and recycling under high light stress in Arabidopsis. The Plant Journal. 55:607-618. Link to publication