Overview

My research focuses on molecular regulatory mechanisms of plant senescence and dimensional control of gene expression in plants. This research has implications on the yields of certain crops and their storage after harvest.

Research Focus

Leaf senescence is an integral part of plant development that limits the yield of certain crops. (Yellowing leaves lose their photosynthetic capability.) Senescence also contributes to much of the postharvest loss of vegetable crops. The long-term goal of my research is to unveil the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the leaf yellowing process or senescence so that we can use the molecular findings to devise ways to manipulate senescence genetically for agricultural improvement. Various molecular, genetic and genomic approaches have been employed to clone and analyze genes that are either driving or retarding the senescence program in Arabidopsis and tobacco plants. My ongoing projects include (i) functional characterization of a subset of senescence-specific transcription factor genes in Arabidopsis, (ii) networking leaf senescence transcription factors in Arabidopsis, (iii) map-based positional cloning and characterization of genetic loci that regulate expression of senescence-specific genes, and (iv) development and use of TASSEL tagging system for cloning senescence-inhibiting genes in tobacco plants.

Instruction Focus

I teach four courses directly related to my research: Hort 425 (Postharvest Biology of Horticultural Crops), Hort 625.01 (Advanced Postharvest Physiology), Hort 625.02 / BioPl 453.06 (Plant Senescence), and BioPL 742 (Current Papers in Plant Biology)

Additional Links

• Molecular biology research
• Link to CALS Research portal
• Link to CALS Impact statements

Selected Publications

• Gan, S. Mitotic senescence in plants. In: Senescence Processes in Plants (Gan S., ed). Blackwell Publishing, pp. 1-11. (will be published in March, 2007)
• Gan, S. (ed) Senescence Processes in Plants. Blackwell Publishing (UK), ca 352. (will be published in March, 2007)
• Guo, Y. and Gan, S. Genetic manipulation of leaf senescence. In: Senescence Processes in Plants (Gan S., ed). Blackwell Publishing, pp.304-322. (will be published in March, 2007)
• Guo, Y. and Gan, S. (2005/2006) AtNAP, a NAC family transcription factor, has an important role in leaf senescence. The Plant Journal (in press).
• Swartzberg, D., Dai, N., Gan, S., Amasino, R., and Granot, D. (2006) Effects of cytokinin production under two SAG promoters on senescence and development of tomato plants. Plant Biology 8: 579-586.
• Guo, Y, and Gan, S. (2006) AtNAP, A NAC family transcription factor, has an important role in leaf senescense. The Plant Journal 46: 601-612.
• Guo, Y. and Gan, S. (2005) Leaf senescence: signals, execution, and regulation. Current Topics in Developmental Biology 71: 83-112.

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