Dr. Dior Kelley
Auxin mediated morphogenesis
Our laboratory studies the roles of auxin, a classical plant hormone, in organ growth and development. We use two model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays (maize) to carry out investigations into how auxin drives root and shoot formation. We employ multidisciplinary approaches, including molecular genetics, systems biology, and biochemistry.
ZmPILS6 is an auxin transporter that is required for proper organ size in maize
Auxin is transported in plant tissues to influence organ growth (cell expanision and/or cell division). The PIN-FORMED LIKES (PILS) family of auxin transporters is evolutionarily conserved and plays many roles in plant development. In corn, loss of PILS6 leads to reduced root system architecture, fewer lateral roots, reduced shoot height and altered auxin response. This work is important for informing breeding strategies related to short corn and stress resilience.
Roles of auxin pathways driving maize root growth
We are investigating the influence of auxin signaling and transport on maize development using genetic, molecular, and network based approaches.