Meet the OK EPSCoR Researcher-of-the-Week: Dr. Kiran Mysore

EPSCoR Bioenergy Project YouTube Video:  Dr. Kiran Mysore

Growing a More Disease-Resistant or Disease-Tolerant Switchgrass Plant for Bioenergy Use

Dr. Kiran Mysore's primary areas of research are molecular plant-microbe interactions and plant genomics. One of the main projects in the Mysore laboratory focuses on understanding the non-host pathogen resistance mechanism in plants.

Non-host resistance has been a topic of interest for many plant pathology researchers for several years. So far, very little research has been done to understand the phenomenon of non-host resistance. Dr. Mysore and his co-researchers are using Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana as model plants to understand non-host pathogen resistance. Several functional genomic approaches like virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and gene expression profiling are being used in these projects.

By identifying the signal transduction components of non-host resistance scientists can better understand how plants defend against pathogens. In future, this will aid researchers in producing a genetically engineer crop plants for broad resistance to several pathogens.

By working to bridge the gap between classical breeding techniques and modern molecular genetics, the EPSCoR research team is optimistic that they may ultimately achieve unprecedented success in biomass feedstock improvement that will significantly enhance Biofuels productivity and lower overall energy costs.

For more information, view Dr. Mysore's EPSCoR bioenergy research page at http://www.okepscor.org/dr-kiran-mysore.