The Young lab studies cellular transport using tools from the evolving field of Functional Genomics. Our goal is to better understand plasma membrane proton pumps in plants. Proton pumps provide the underlying energy for a variety of fundamental transport-related processes such as cellular homeostasis, mineral and metabolite uptake and transport, cell growth and morphogenesis, and a variety of responses to the environment including stomatal control, tropic responses, and defense related mechanisms.

We study the small mustard Arabidopsis thaliana. The DNA sequence for Arabidopsis was recently completed and we have learned that the pumps are encoded by twelve different genes (the AHA, Arabidopsis plasma membrane H+-ATpase gene family). As a first step toward determining the function of the AHA genes, we have isolated mutants in ten of twelve gene family members. We are currently studying the genetics and physiology of these mutants.

The National Science Foundation etablished the "2010 Project" to study the function of the 26,000 genes coded for in the Arabidopsis genome. In addition to working on the AHA gene family (abstract), our lab is contributing to the effort by providing a WEB site, Arabidopsis Gantlet Project, detailing environmental and physiological conditions useful in uncovering gene function.

Student internships are available, students are encouraged to apply early in their career at Western.

Some Recent Publications

- Robertson WR, Clark K (nee Szumlanski), Young JC, Sussman MR. (2004) An Arabidopsis thaliana Plasma Membrane Proton Pump Is Essential for Pollen Development. Genetics. 168(3):1677-87

- Wu Z, Liang F, Hong B, Young JC, Sussman MR, Harper JF, Sze H. (2002) An endoplasmic reticulum-bound Ca(2+)/Mn(2+) pump, ECA1, supports plant growth and confers tolerance to Mn(2+) stress. Plant Physiol. 130(1):128-37

- Ullah, H,, Chen, JG, Young, JC, Im, KH, Sussman, M, Jones, AJ (2001) Modulation of Cell Proliferation by Heterotrimeric G-protein in Arabidopsis , Science 15 (292): 2066-2069

- Young, JC and Sussman, MR (2001) Efficient screening of Arabidopsis T-DNA insertion lines. Plant Physiol. 125(2), 513-518

- Chen, JG, Ullah, H, Young, JC, Sussman, MR and Jones, AJ (2001) ABP1 is required for organized cell elongation and division in Arabidopsis embryogenesis, Genes and Development 15(7)

- Gottwald, JR, Krysan , PK, Young, JC, Evert , RF and Sussman , MR (2000) Genetic evidence for the in planta role of phloem specific plasma membrane sucrose transporters. PNAS 97(25), 13979-13984

...for abstracts and links to publications.

Supported by the National Science Foundation.